EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED PEST AND VECTOR MANAGEMENT (IPVM) PROGRAMME IN RICE

Integrated pest and vector management (IPVM) has become a popular concept that reduces heavy use of pesticides and controls vector borne diseases such as Malaria. These IPVM practices include vector manage ment practices in addition to the techniques of conventional integrated pest management (IPM). A number of programmes have been implemented in Sri Lanka through Farmer Fields Schools (FFS) with the sponsorships of FAO, UNDP and WHO. However, the level of success and the cost-effectiveness of these programmes have not been evaluated. With this background, a study was carried out to find whether the intended ecological and economic benefits have been achieved.Of the IPVM sites, Kiriibbanwewa in Embilipitiya was chosen for the study. A stratified random sample of 40 farmers to represent different stages of FFSs was chosen to collect the necessary data. This was supplemented by a participatory rural appraisal. The data were subjected to cost-benefit analysis. The study found that more than 50% of farmers who were trained in FFS several years ago, still use IPVM practices. Of the various compo nents of IPVM, it was revealed that farmers mostly used the conventional practices compared to newly intro duced practices. Compared to the control group, IPVM farmers had a lower cost of production, mainly due to cutting down of the costs for agrochemicals and savings of seed paddy. However, the intended ecological benefits were not achieved. The study revealed that more attempts should be made by the authori ties to popularize the vector management component in IPVM, in order to achieve maximum benefits