Investment in IPM

In order to continue IPM development and adoption it will be critical to enhance investment in: 1) new options for pest management, 2) public and private education infrastructure, and 3) implementation and adoption of IPM.

Research Needs

Research needs in IPM range from basic investigations of pest biology to the development of new pest management tactics in specific topics or settings. The following list illustrates some of the research needs for the National IPM Program.

Clarify pest biology and host/pest/climate interactions to identify vulnerable cropping systems and vulnerable stages in the pest life cycle.
Develop advanced management tactics for specific settings (e.g., crops, parks, the home, the workplace) that prevent or avoid pest attack.
Develop economical high-resolution environmental and biological monitoring systems to enhance our capabilities to predict pest incidence, estimate damage, and identify valid action thresholds.
Develop new diagnostic tools, particularly for plant diseases and for detection of pesticide resistance in pest populations, including weeds.
Develop new generation low-risk suppression tactics including biological control and products of traditional breeding and biotechnology.
Improve action thresholds for vector borne diseases; provide mechanisms for local vector borne disease control agencies to adequately monitor pest populations to predict possible outbreaks and implement low risk approaches to prevent outbreak levels.
Improve the efficiency of suppression tactics and demonstrate least-cost options and pest management alternatives.
Develop new delivery methods designed to expand the options for IPM implementation.

Technical Development

While there has been dramatic improvement in pest management practices during the last three decades, there continues to be a critical need to devise new options that provide effective, economical and environmentally sound management of pest populations. A parallel need is to provide science-based information concerning the risks and benefits of IPM to the public. Meeting this need will facilitate support and informed discussion and involvement from stakeholders and consumers who understand the benefits of public investment in IPM programs.

Education

A diverse and evolving pest complex requires a cadre of trained individuals with enhanced management skills that ensure human health and environmental protection. It is important for practitioners to acquire new skills to implement targeted IPM strategies using new technologies, including genetic engineering, reduced risk pesticides, cultural practices, and biocontrols. The Federal Agency Core IPM Certification Training Program should be installed. This program will provide state of the art, highly advanced training to federal IPM Practitioners preparing them with basic IPM Principles skills and advanced courses in different technical categories.

Implementation and Adoption of IPM

Agricultural producers, natural resource managers, and homeowners must willingly adopt IPM practices for these programs to reach their full potential. And the public must have information to fully understand these programs. The following activities will contribute to the adoption of IPM.

Develop user incentives for IPM adoption reflecting the value of IPM to society and reduced risks to users. Work with existing risk management programs including federal crop insurance, and incentive programs such as the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and other farm program payments to fully incorporate IPM tactics as rewarded practices.
Provide educational opportunities for IPM specialists to learn new communication skills that enable them to engage new and unique audiences having specific language, location, strategy, or other special needs.
Create public awareness and understanding of IPM programs and their economic, health and environmental impacts, through education programs in schools, colleges, and the workplace, and through creative use of mass media.
Leverage federal resources with state and local public and private efforts to implement collaborative projects.
Ensure a multi-directional flow of pest management information by expanding existing and developing new collaborative relationships with public and private sector cooperators.
Spotlight successful IPM Programs

For more information, contact Sandra Sardanelli

Last updated: 09/28/2006