Introduction to the training guide.

Abstract

A lack of knowledge on integrated pest management (IPM) amongst the farmers (and sometimes field technicians) can be a barrier to responsible management and use of crop protection agents (CPAs), such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. Hence, addressing any knowledge gaps is a necessary first step in order for changes in behaviour to take place. This Training Guide provides training material to address training needs and offers guidance on how to adapt the core material to local conditions through the national training programmes. This guide focuses on the some of the key principles of IPM and appropriate use of CPAs. The guide presents a core training package with detailed curricula to address all aspects of responsible CPA management. The guide provides background information to support technical understanding and, through activity descriptions with notes for the facilitators, it provides sufficient guidance for trainers to be able to lead trainings on the technical content. The guide also provides step-by-step guidance to support all stages of the implementation of the training programme. Through training on the topics in the Training Guide, farmers and field technicians will learn tactics for reducing unnecessary CPA use, they will find out how to select less toxic CPAs which are registered for use on tobacco, and in particular they will learn how to manage CPAs appropriately.

Biopesticides manual: guidelines for selecting, sourcing and using biocontrol agents for key pests of tobacco

“…A market survey of biopesticides carried out in 2016 for 20 countries where tobacco is grown identified approximately 50 different biopesticide AS that are permitted to be used in tobacco (Bateman et al, 2016). In a follow-up survey, leaf suppliers operating in even more countries indicated that they have experience with over 60 biopesticide AS, and would recommend 25 of those AS to others for use (Grunder and Bateman, 2017).…”