The New Integrated Pest Management Paradigm for the Modern Age

Earlier models of integrated pest management (IPM) focused on ecological aspects of pest management. With the recent developments in agricultural technology, modern communication tools, changing consumer trends, increased awareness for sustainably produced food systems, and globalization of trade and travel, there seems to be a need to revisit the IPM paradigm as appropriate for modern times. A new model, built on earlier models based on ecological and economic aspects, is expanded and reconfigured to include management, business, and sustainability aspects and emphasize the importance of research and outreach. The management aspect contains four components of IPM that address the pest management options, the knowledge and resources to develop management strategies, the management of information and making timely decisions, and the dissemination or sharing of information. With the business aspect that includes the producer, consumer, and seller, and the sustainability aspect that covers economic viability, environmental safety, and social acceptability, the new model presents the human, environmental, social, and economic factors that influence the food production.