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INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
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Pests and diseases cause between 20-40% of all crop production to be lost each year, this equates to losing around $300 billion annually (FAO, 2023). Such losses contribute massively to food insecurity, which is particularly prevalent in African countries. Pesticides are typically used to control pests, but their excessive use has led to biodiversity loss and widespread pollution, which in turn harms humans and the environment. To combat this growing challenge, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies have been increasingly adopted. These strategies focus on a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical approaches to control pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. This article aims to provide a brief description about IPM and its components.