Integrated pest management training at a farmers' field school: collecting pest specimens in the field. The specimens are then taken to the school and drawn by farmer groups. As illiteracy is high in Laos, drawing from life specimens enhances farmers' ability to identify and memorize insects in the field. Most schools are attended by about 25 participants, both male and female, from the same village and groups are formed to facilitate field study. This village was chosen because farmers were keen to learn about crop management and production of new high-yielding rice varieties. - - General: General. FAO's inter-country programme for integrated pest management (IPM)in South and Southeast Asia. It is based on six principles where farmers become experts in their own fields; grow a healthy crop; monitor fields regularly; conserve natural enemies; manage effectively all farming inputs; and become experts beyond production issues.

These principles are implemented by field-based learning and discovery activities that allow farmers to develop their ability to make critical and informed decisions related to vegetable production and marketing.

Integrated pest management training assists farmers to improve the way they manage their crops by helping them to 1) learn about agro-ecology and the importance of conserving beneficial organisms that live in their fields; 2) understand how soil, fertilizers, water and weeds affect the way vegetables grow; 3) test and share knowledge about the available non-chemical methods to control pests and diseases; and 4) participate in the development of new or improved management techniques.

The FAO vegetable IPM programme is funded by a USD 4 million grant from the Netherlands. It operated with the Governments of Bangladesh, Laos, Viet Nam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia and helps farmers produce more vegetables in a suitable, safe, profitable and environmentally sound manner by supporting three core activities: Training