Crop pests, climate change, and food security

Abstract

The promotion of judicious use of agrochemicals can contribute immensely to the protection of the environment, not only by reducing substantially the dependence on inappropriate chemicals but more significantly, by raising yields and thus releasing marginal lands from cultivation. The rise in the socioeconomic levels of the marginal farmers and greater stability imparted to their incomes will reduce the pressure from them on forest or other perishable resources. Therefore, it will be of immense importance to develop, demonstrate and promote appropriate use of agrochemicals and agricultural practices at the farmer’s field at wider scale to bridge the gap for technology transfer for integrated pest management.