CGIAR Policy Statement on Integrated Pest Management

The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has stated that its mission is, "through research and related activities,... to contribute to sustainable improvements in the productivity of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in developing countries in ways that enhance nutrition and well-being, especially of low-income people." In pursuance of this mission and recognizing the key role of IPM in sustainable agricultural development as a system that contributes to productivity in an environmentally sound and equitable manner, the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs), affirm that IPM principles should guide all pest control efforts within the CG system and strongly support research leading to its wider application. This IPM policy is in full accord with the articles of UNCED Agenda 21 and the Biodiversity Convention and is a significant element in the response of the CGIAR to these initiatives. To ensure full use of the potential and actual capacity that exists within the IARCs, the CGIAR will create a System-wide Program on IPM according to the guidelines elaborated below.

The IARCs promote IPM development and implementation as follows:

• IPM development and implementation will be inter-disciplinary and holistic in approach to management of agricultural and natural ecosystems.
• IPM strives to maintain and exploit biodiversity as a fundamental principle of pest management in the context of sustainable agricultural development.
• The IARCs will develop their comparative advantage in pest problem diagnosis, IPM component development, pilot project implementation and impact assessment. The IARCs will give increased emphasis to collaboration with NARS, NGOs, and other appropriate national, international and bilateral organizations with experience or interest in IPM. In full-scale IPM implementation, the IARCs will play a supporting role to organizations such as national extension services, NGOs and FAO.
• The IARCs recognize that, due to the diversity of agronomic and socio-economic systems, IPM implementation requires farmer participation in problem diagnosis, research and on-farm testing. Adoption of IPM depends on the ability of farmers to make informed decisions using the best available knowledge. The IARCs fully subscribe to this empowerment of farmers and furthermore view IPM as building on indigenous knowledge systems for pest management.
• An important element of sustainable IPM development will be decision support systems for policy makers as well as farmers. Communication between farmers, implementation organizations and policy makers should be encouraged.
• The IARCs acknowledge the role agrochemicals and drugs have played in control of plant and animal pests. The IARCs encourage improved strategic use of these products in an IPM context, as well as development of new products that promote sustainable agricultural production and minimize environmental degradation. IARCs will seek effective collaboration with the private sector in developing these component IPM technologies where appropriate.
• Recognizing the potential contribution of biotechnology to IPM, the IARCs will continue to be involved in further development and application. In accordance with IPM principles, application of biologically engineered products will be carefully evaluated for their possible nontarget effects before deployment.