Farmer-centric ICT-based approach forintegrated pest management in India

Abstract

Pests cause substantial losses to crop production in India. However, the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides not only harms the environment but also poses serious health risks due to pesticide residues in food and water. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) being a knowledge-intensive approach to crop protection, emphasises informed decision-making based on an understanding of the interactions among crops, pests, beneficial organisms, and various other ecological factors. For effective implementation, IPM practitioners require timely access to relevant pest management information, knowledge, and expert guidance. Hence, the improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools such as decision support systems play a vital role which are discussed in detail in this article.