IPM as agricultural key factor for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 – the end of poverty

Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. The combination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) components plays a crucial role in achieving SDG 1 by promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing food security, increasing income opportunities for farmers, and contributing to overall poverty reduction. IPM can be a key factor in achieving this goal through various mechanisms. In this article collection we call for the submission of manuscripts (preferably review articles, perspectives papers and original articles) on these specific aspects: - Biological Control: Introducing or enhancing natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pest populations can be a sustainable and cost-effective way to protect crops. This can reduce the need for expensive chemical pesticides and improve long-term crop yields, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. - Crop Rotation and Diversification: Rotating crops and diversifying the types of crops grown in a specific area can disrupt the life cycles of pests and diseases. This approach helps maintain soil health, reduce pest pressures, and enhance overall agricultural productivity, providing a more stable income for farmers. - Cultural Practices: Implementing appropriate cultural practices, such as proper spacing between plants, intercropping, and maintaining optimal irrigation and drainage, can create less favorable conditions for pests. These practices contribute to sustainable agriculture, improving crop yields and supporting poverty reduction. - Resistant Varieties: Planting crop varieties that are naturally resistant to specific pests or diseases is an effective way to reduce the need for chemical inputs. This approach enhances the resilience of crops and contributes to stable agricultural production, supporting SDG 1 by ensuring a reliable food supply. - Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: Regular monitoring of pest populations and the establishment of early warning systems enable farmers to take timely and targeted actions when pest pressures increase. This proactive approach helps prevent crop losses and protects farmers' income, contributing to poverty alleviation. - Education and Capacity Building: Providing farmers with knowledge and training on IPM practices empowers them to make informed decisions about pest management. Education on sustainable agricultural practices enhances the capacity of farmers to protect their crops effectively, leading to improved yields and income. - Alternatives to Chemical Control: While minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides is a key principle of IPM. Ethnobotanically sound self-preparations, botanical extracts or botanical pesticides, and other natural alternatives to chemical-synthetic pesticides can be considered together with other methods, which alone may be insufficient. Proper application, choosing less harmful agents, and adhering to safety guidelines are essential to minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health. It is a crucial requirement that the submitted manuscripts show how these IPM components are incorporated into agricultural practices achieving more sustainable and resilient farming systems. This, in turn, supports the goal of ending poverty (SDG 1) by promoting stable and profitable agricultural livelihoods for farmers.