Integrated pest management: good intentions, hard realities. A review

Abstract Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides an illustration of how crop protection has (or not) evolved over the past six decades. Throughout this period, IPM endeavored to promote sustainable forms agriculture, pursued sharp reductions in synthetic pesticide use, and thereby resolved myriad socio-economic, environmental, human health challenges. Global use has, however, largely continued unabated, with negative implications for farmer livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, right food. In review, we examine developed time assess whether concept remains suited present-day We believe that despite many good intentions, hard realities need be faced. 1) identify following major weaknesses: i) a multitude definitions generate unnecessary confusion; ii) inconsistencies between concepts, practice, policies; iii) insufficient engagement farmers technology development frequent lack basic understanding its underlying ecological concepts. 2) By diverting from fundamental principles, integration practices proceeded along serendipitous routes, proven ineffective, yielded unacceptable outcomes. 3) show majority cases, chemical control still basis plant programs. 4) Furthermore, research is often lagging, tends misguided, pays attention ecology functioning agroecosystems. 5) Since 1960s, rules have been twisted, foundational concepts degraded serious (farm-level) implementation not advanced. To remedy this, are proposing Agroecological Crop Protection as captures agroecology can optimally put service protection. constitutes interdisciplinary scientific field comprises orderly strategy (and clear prioritization) at field, farm, agricultural landscape level dimension social organizational ecology.