It would be wrong to cause undue alarm, but let us first understand how our system works. Before any plant protection chemical is registered or sold in the country the government machinery ensures that it is safe and non toxic. Up to this point the checks are in place.

The problem is really in the farmers' field and in the marketplace where there are no checks on the residual levels of toxic chemicals. To put it in simple terms, if a farmer chooses to spray his field of vegetables the day prior to harvest, there is no way a housewife can ensure safe food for her family. This is a matter of public concern. Those engaged in agro-exports are aware of the problems associated with residual toxic levels, however in the local market, toxic levels can reach the food chain.

Farmers all over the country are in continuous battle with pests and disease. Most farmers are fighting this battle with just one string to their bow, namely chemicals. Unfortunately with chemicals is associated the issue of pest resistance and consequently the farmer out of ignorance and desperation increases the recommended dosage beyond levels that are safe. It is here that the issue must be addressed.

The problems associated with spests can only be resolved if we take an integrated approach to pest management. The problem is shuge. It is for this reason that Iwish to address the issue to society in general and not just to my fellow farmers.

The mistakes that we in the farming community are making are mainly due to ignorance, and not owing to willful neglect. Media and public pressure is necessary to bring about much needed change. Effective legislation and extensive testing for residual toxicity are the logical steps ahead.What is IPM? As the name suggests, when several different measures are integrated into one system of pest management the technique is referred to as IPM.

The various techniques used could be cultural, physical, bilogical, genetic, and lastly chemical. Unfortunately the Indian farmer uses mainly chemicals alone rather than an integrated approach.

The methods incorporated in IPM are simple and logical. Most of it is common sense and because it is so simple it is often over looked. Every school boy is aware of the importance of crop rotation. However, it is easily forgotten by the farming community resulting in monoculture, the growing of asingle crop. We farmers often forget that by not rotating crops we encourage a build up of a single-pest population which after a point becomes impossible to eradicate. Farmers discount immediate gain rather than slow sustained growth. Even if a few farmers are sensitive to crop rotation it is not enough. To be effective as a method of pest control cropping pattern must be advocated over large areas. Crop residue destruction, effective tillage, and sanitation are effective cultural techniques which can substantially reduce pest problems.

Unfortunately these areas are neglected. State and media efforts are necessary. Physical and mechanical methods of pest control are another means of lowering pests without any harmful effect on the environment. These methods include the setting up of traps to ure insects by the use of pharamone hormones. Under controlled conditions, such as in greehouses, a wire mesh can provide a physical barrier to pests and prove an effective method of pest control.

Perhaps the mosteffective method of IPM and certainly the ways ahead is Biological Control. The system reduces pest populations through the action of living organisms. These organisms are encouraged and released by man. Biological control is an excellent method to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides and chemicals. Biological control incorporates the role of beneficial predators or pathogens which act as the natural enemies of the pest or fungal disease. The more common forms of bilogical control used in India re BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis) or various specific virus such as HNPV (Helicoverpa Nuclear Polythile Virus). Unfortunately there is confusion and alarm among the public and also alarm. Vested interests have perhaps launched a campaign to confuse Gene protection terminator technology with bilogical control in the form of transgenic plants.

What must be clearly understood is that bilogical control can be in the form of spray applications just as chemical formulations. These formulations are completely safeand do not cause any environmental harm. To give biological control a bad name would do tremendous harm to IPM. For a healthier environment, farmer, scientist, government, media and the consumer at large must join forces to give IPM its due weightage in understanding and in usage.

The author is a leading exporter of cut flowers and based in Nashik