Pest control: how to get it right

The book, Managing Pests and Pesticides in Small-Scale Agriculture, is a joint publication of CTA, the Centre for Development Work (CON), in the Netherlands and the Technical Development with Developing Countries (TOOL). It is aimed at helping development workers in rural areas to assist small-scale farmers to develop sustainable agriculture. The book is more a basic information tool for on-site elaboration rather than a handbook with all the answers. After a brief introduction to farmers, agriculture and pesticides In the Third World, the first part emphasizes the social background of crop protection in the Third World. Part II is dedicated to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which provides alternatives to chemical crop protection alone. This section also offers a variety of practical suggestions for suggestions the use of chemicals and for Increasing their safe use. Part III deals with possible training methods for IPM, and gives information on background research in IPM. Because in the Third World, pesticides are often sold without adequate Instructions for use, and because the use of these chemicals which is sometimes prohibited in the North, part IV looks more closely at government measures and pesticide legislation, including FAO's Code of Conduct. The final part, part V, gives two case studies, in pest management, in Peru and Sri Lanka. There are four useful appendices: the 50 most commonly-used pesticides and their dangers; a list of organizations involved in crop protection; a bibliography (with abstracts); and a glossary of terms used in plant protection. This is a useful paperback, fully illustrated with photographs, diagrams and cartoons; everything is designed for clarity and easy access. Managing Pests and Pesticides in Small-Scale Agriculture by F H J Schoubroeck M Herens, W de Louw, J M Louwen, T Overtoom, translated by J Elington, FH J Schoubroeck and J M Louwen, 204pp, 1990, ISBN 90 70857 18 9, published by CON and available from TOOL, Entrepotdok 68a/69a, 1018 AD Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDSManaging Pests and Pesticides in Small-Scale Agriculture by F H J Schoubroeck M Herens, W de Louw, J M Louwen, T Overtoom, translated by J Elington, FH J Schoubroeck and J M Louwen, 204pp, 1990, ISBN 90 70857 18 9, published by CON and available from TOO