Climate change is affecting the biology, distribution and outbreak potential of pests in a vast range of crops and across all land uses and landscapes. Up to 40% of the world's food supply is already lost to pests; the reduction in pest impact is more important than ever to ensure global food security, reduced application of inputs and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart pest management (CSPM) is a cross-sectoral approach that aims to reduce pest-induced crop losses, enhance ecosystem services, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions intensity per unit of food produced and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change. Through the implementation of CSPM, crop production, extension, research and policy act in coordination towards more efficient and resilient food production systems.
Agriculture is crucial for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), involving approximately 50% of the economically active population and contributing an estimated 25% to the gross national product. However, agricultural production has remained low due to soil degradation and pest damage in cabbage and maize (particularly due to lepidopteron pests), amongst other reasons. To help improve productivity and address food security issues, CABI has been working in DPRK since 2002 to introduce integrated pest management (IPM). This is a sustainable approach combining cultural, biological and chemical control methods to provide stable yields and long-term reduction in pesticide use. By integrating IPM into agricultural production, as well as into extension and education in DPRK, higher yields for staple crops, such as maize and cabbage, have been achieved and communities protected from the short-and long-term effects of harmful chemical pesticides. Sustained support and facilitation from CABI to national research institutions has also helped to strengthen capacity, so that further IPM can be developed across the country. Whilst the initiative initially focused on technical interventions, including the introduction of biocontrol-using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides and Trichogramma wasps-CABI's approach changed over time. In order to scale up successful interventions in the field, CABI recognised that it needed to develop a broader approach. This involved training with: • technicians-to produce the biocontrol agent; • extension workers-to introduce participatory approaches for the training of farmers in IPM practices; • farmers-to apply the biocontrol method and other IPM tools.
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