In the wake of huge crop losses of over $10 billion due to insect pests, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) has called for a critical look into the ?insecticide treadmill? to save crops and the environment.
Stressing the need to reduce pest-induced losses, William D Dar, director-general, Icrisat said, ?The world needs to develop innovative techniques to address the most complex challenge to global food production. The annual losses caused by insect pests is expected to change in unpredictable ways due to intensification of agriculture and climate change.? Coinciding with the 29th annual meeting of the Academy of Environmental Biology, Icrisat is organising a symposium on biosafety and environmental impact of genetically-modified organisms and conventional technologies for pest management, on November 20-21, he said crop production is constantly threatened by insect pests, which prevent poor farmers from earning better.
