Sustainable pest management strategies for agriculture in Pakistan: a review

Abstract

The agriculture sector of Pakistan’s economy faces significant challenges, including water scarcity, land degradation, climate change, and pest infestations, all of which threaten crop production and rural livelihoods. Historically, pest management has heavily relied on chemical pesticides, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids. While these provide short-term solutions, their extensive use has led to environmental degradation, health risks, and the development of resistance in cotton and vegetable crops. In response, integrated pest management (IPM) has emerged as an ecological approach that combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and selective chemical controls to regulate pest populations while minimizing environmental damage. This study reviews pest control practices in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the National IPM Programme and Farmer Field Schools. Successful programs under these initiatives have reduced pesticide use by 87% and increased crop yields by 10-25%. Case studies highlight the effectiveness of biological controls, such as Trichogramma wasps and Beauveria bassiana fungi, which have resulted in reduced pesticide use and yield improvements of up to 18%. However, challenges persist, including farmer education, a lack of facilities for maintaining biological control agents, and climate-induced shifts in pest populations. The study also emphasizes the potential of precision agriculture technologies, such as drones, remote sensing, and AI-driven monitoring systems, for pest surveillance and targeted interventions. Policy recommendations include providing institutional support, enhancing farmer capacity, investing in biopesticides and genetically modified organisms, and fostering collaboration among government agencies, research organizations, and farmers to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of agriculture in Pakistan.