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Abstract
The concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), regarded as an ultimate management practice for the control of pests and diseases, has been known for over 30 years in the developed countries. Nevertheless, it is yet to be fully exploited in the developing countries, which in recent years have been dumping grounds for all kinds of pesticides. The current debt burden, which has character - istically led to currency devaluation in various developing countries, has also led to dramatic increases in the prices of these chemicals. These factors, coupled with the inevitable environmental consequences posed by pesticides, call for a new dimension in pest control practices. A look at the current farming systems show that there are substantial cultural practices, traditional and organic methods which when fully exploited, could form a basis for the development of IPM in Nigeria The concept preaches minimal use of pesticides and places emphasis on simultaneous use of several control measures to minimize pest problems. This paper discusses the various cultural practices which have been used to effectively reduce pest and disease problems on a variety of crops in Nigeria, and which with little education can be of simcant importance to resource-poor farmer pest control. The fmdings have applicability to other developing countries.