IPM and organic farming

الملخص EN

Organic farming has been increasingly spreading in recent years not only globally but also in the Arab countries.

Organic farming is a system of production that uses practices and materials which are naturally/biologically enhancing to the soil, plant life, animal and human consumers and growers.

Organic farming is based on producing food in a sustainable manner without using synthetic chemicals, either at the growing stage or post–harvest.

Generally, the sales of organic products have increased 20% annually since 1990.

Crop production and pest control methods in organic agriculture are governed by strict standards and rules imposed by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and national regulations.

Unfortunately, enhancement of soil quality and cultural practices are not always effective for controlling pests in organic agriculture.

Therefore, IPM is essential in organic agriculture because it offers a wide range of techniques and practices to prevent or minimize damages from pests without affecting soil, water or beneficial organisms.

Thus, IPM is not just about management of pests alone, it is a sustainable crop production approach based on sound eco-system analysis.

However, this approach has certain constraints or challenges such as: (i) IPM is still not suitably recognized as policy or a solution to some problems, and the area of concern will need more personal attention especially in developing countries, (ii) implementation of this system is labor-intensive which is not widely available, (iii) growers, in some years, may suffer from crops damage and reduced yield to a larger extent than expected, (iv) there is no effective non-chemical control method or bio-control agent available for some pests (insects, weeds or pathogens), and (v) available funds for research in this area is limited.

To overcome such constrains and improve the effectiveness of IPM programs through better understanding of the crop ecosystem both above and below the soil surface is needed.

Furthermore, new systems for organic agriculture need to be designed, where the crop environment discourages pest development.

The role of training of organic farmers and farm groups will be emphasized.