Enhancing Africas Environmental Management: Integrated Pest Management for Minimization of Agricultural Pesticides Pollution

摘要

Although, agriculture remains the means of mans procurement of his foremost basic need (food), pests struggle with him for most essential agricultural yield, thereby channeling his resources to colossal waste. Worldwide, about one-third of the agricultural products grown by humans are consumed or destroyed by insects. Pests also threaten mans life by spread of lethal diseases. Man responds to this challenge in physical, chemical and biological pests control measures. Pesticides which are predominantly used in Africa, are not only unspecific, unnatural and unsustainable but also pollutes environment, thereby increasing the challenges to Africas environmental management. This study reviews agricultural pest control measures and recommends the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as well as some post-harvest protection measures for agricultural yield in African countries into which the flow of pesticides and fertilizers has been enhanced in the era of globalization.