Through the roadblocks: IPM and Central American smallholders

Integrated pest management (IPM) is often promoted as one of the key elements of a sustainable approach to agriculture. IPM promises rational pesticide use, ecologically-based practices, better public health, and larger, sustained, harvests. However, in spite of several efforts, IPM has largely failed to take hold in Latin American farming. This paper presents the authors' reflections on their experiences with promoting the use of IPM in the region.