Various approaches have been developed to encourage farmers to move towards more ecological pest management practices. Integrated Pest Management, developed since the 1970s, is well-known. It began as a technical approach designed to reduce the number of pesticide applications in crops. It subsequently developed into a methodology in which farmers were encouraged to develop healthier pest management interventions themselves, in the process of coming to a better understanding of their agro-ecosystems.

It would be interesting to hear about practical experiences with the Farmer Field School approach to pest management. This approach combines training with field-based, location-specific research to build in farmers the skills, knowledge and confidence to make ecologically sound and cost-effective decisions on crop health. As it has now been in use for quite some time, it would be interesting to hear how it has evolved, spawned other initiatives, and been scaled up. The focus on IPM may have shifted, from ‘integrated pest management’ towards ‘ecological crop management’, from a single crop to farm level and beyond. We welcome examples of how fieldworkers, government extension departments and NGOs have changed in order to support these processes better. Experiences that illuminate changing relationships with local input suppliers and traders are also welcome.

Lastly, it would be interesting to learn from both the successes and the failures: which practices and approaches have sustained and which ones have not? 

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