1. Pest management issues in the Caribbean
Moses Kairo, CAB International Caribbean & Latin America Regional Centre, Trinidad and Tobago

2. Why insect pests?
Although this paper covers insect pests, the issues discussed are applicable to other pests
Three interrelated topics discussed:
development of ecological crop production
Invasive species management
Agro-biodiversity

3. Climate change and insects
Sustainable management of insect pests: currently a major challenge for agriculture
Climate changes that exacerbate insect pest problems make this challenge even more difficult

4. Ecological Crop/Pest Management
Intensive production of short-term crops with high input of chemical pesticides:
not sustainable
harmful to humans and the environment
Safe, healthy food for local needs
More stringent export requirements
Develop Ecological Crop Management (ECM)

5. ECM Needs
Development of biologically based pest management e.g. biological pesticides
Development of rational pesticide use and application technologies
Use of cultural and other practices that enhance crop health
Use of participatory approaches

6. Participatory Approaches
Research
Extension
Farmer

7. Invasive spp. management
Increased spate of invasive species globally and in the Caribbean e.g. HMB, PMB, Thrips palmi, citrus blackfly, citrus leafminer, fire ants, giant African snail
Climate change can exacerbate this problem by increasing the geographic and ecological range of some species

8. Invasive spp: Needs
Survey and documentation of invasive species and their potential risks
Assistance to countries to develop national strategies and action plans
Issues of safety of biological control in small island systems

9. Agrobiodiversity
Loss of natural environments and associated biodiversity in the Caribbean
Environmental degradation leads to loss of biological resources and soil fertility as well as changes in climate
Loss of smaller organisms essential in agro-ecosystems are often overlooked

10. Agrobiodiversity - Needs
Characterize and utilize biodiversity
Understand:
functional relationship between crop intensification, changing environments and biodiversity in farmers’ fields
impact of agronomic and climate changes on the biodiversity and conservation of small organisms

11. Thank You