Introduction

As the population increases in developing countries, so does the demand for food and fiber to meet its basic needs. With the decrease of natural resources and the degradation of arable land, there is a greater need for land rehabilitation, agricultural intensification, and increased productivity. Farmers and consumers in developing countries are too often faced with a serious dilemma: either sacrifice a significant share of their crops to pests or use highly toxic pesticides that can harm human health and the environment. If we can help these people out of this dilemma, we will be making a major contribution to improving food security, eradicating starvation, and alleviating poverty in resource-poor countries throughout the world.

 

The World Bank, is committed to reducing rural poverty through economically sound and environmentally sustainable investments. In order to mitigate risks and reduce vulnerability, the World Bank and its partners focus on investments and policies that foster economic growth while managing natural and agricultural resources in a sustainable manner. In full accord with the articles of UNCED Agenda 21 (chapter 14) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Bank recognizes that a system of integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated crop management (ICM) plays a fundamental role in sustainable agricultural development. As a member of the Steering Committee of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Systemwide Programme on IPM, the World Bank, therefore affirms that IPM is its preferred plant and animal health strategy and that, through its investments and policies, it will promote the adoption of IPM by farmers.

 

Why Does The World Bank Support Sustainable Pest Management Practices?

 

In the past, investment in agricultural intensification was associated with a supply increase in external inputs such as fertilizers and chemical pesticides. More recently, new investments are more economically, socially, and environmentally based. This holistic approach seeks to enhance agricultural productivity through efficient use of agricultural technology, to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor, and to foster an environment conducive to sustainable rural development (See  Reaching the Rural Poor: a Renewed Strategy for Rural Development and  Agriculture Investment Sourcebook). Within this context, the Bank considers IPM and ICM to be responsible agricultural practices to increase farmer income, foster growth, and improve food security by reducing pest losses while protecting the health of producers, consumers, and the environment.

 

Partnerships

 

The World Bank Group has a very limited technical capacity to promote the use of IPM technologies and products in its projects; however, it fosters strategic alliances with the CGIAR Systemwide Programme on Integrated Pest Management (SP-IPM). These alliances give the Bank access to a network of expertise to help promote sound IPM practices, hence improving compliance with Bank policies. The Systemwide Programme on IPM (SP-IPM) is sponsored by UNEP, FAO, and the WB, and it is very active in promoting IPM/ICM through the concept of farmer field schools (FFS) in several countries. The SP-IPM, an initiative of the CGIAR, has grown into a program including all interested IPM stakeholders. Members of the steering committee include the CG centers, ICIPE, AVRDC, CABI, Croplife International, the Systemwide Programme on IPM (SP-IPM), PAN Africa, and the World Bank.