Integrated Management generates productivity and sustainability in the field

Those who work in the field know: pest control isn't just a matter of applying products—it's a strategy! Over the years, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has gone from being an academic concept to a consolidated practice that delivers sustainability to global agriculture, and especially to Brazilian agriculture.

Context of Integrated Pest Management

It's no coincidence that I always say: "There are no miracles, there is management." IPM gained momentum and structure in the mid-1970s, about 20 years after the start of the Green Revolution, when chemical pesticides—herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides—became seen as a "miracle solution" to agricultural problems.

However, as with any technology, excessive and unplanned use began to produce side effects: pest/disease resistance and population resurgence. The "silver bullet" no longer delivered the same results, and that's when science began to pay closer attention to management.

The focus has shifted from just the product to the integration of various tools: deeper knowledge of the biological target, monitoring, bioinputs, biotechnology, cultural and physical practices, new varieties, and, of course, chemical pesticides—used strategically, rationally, and sustainably.

In this sense, IPM is not a stand-alone solution. It's a smart combination of several solutions, tailored to the specific needs of each crop.

This customization is essential for good results. Although there is a standard IPM standard, each area requires specific strategies and tools—from obvious factors, such as the species cultivated, to less trivial aspects, such as the characteristics of the region's pest populations, their interactions with the environment, and even soil and climate conditions.

Scientific and necessary strategy in the field

IPM is a dynamic process based on ecology and ecosystem logic. Its goal is to maintain balance, promoting healthy crops with the least possible intervention.

And here in Brazil, the path has been one of progress: over the past few decades, IPM programs have been successfully implemented by small, medium, and large producers, across a wide range of crops—from vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and sweet potatoes to major crops like soybeans, corn, and sugarcane. These examples demonstrate that IPM is viable, works, and brings concrete benefits to everyone.

Real IPM results in Brazilian fields

The adoption of Integrated Pest Management in Brazil is a reality across various production chains. Surveys by Embrapa, universities, and industry companies show that, when applied correctly, IPM can increase productivity while reducing production costs.

For example, IPM-Soybean in Paraná is a emblematic case. Work began in the 1970s, the result of a partnership between Embrapa Soja and Emater-PR (now IDR-Paraná), with the goal of introducing the practice into farmers' daily lives. Over the last ten harvests, reference units have been established in real production areas, working with producers, yielding consistent results: reduced production costs and maintained productivity.

The track record is robust—in the 2022/2023 harvest alone, data compiled by Embrapa Soja (Document Series 455) confirms that IPM-Soybean ensures greater economic returns for farmers and environmental benefits for society, making it an example of applied sustainable agriculture. This study is considered one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on the adoption of IPM-Soybean by farmers in Brazil and continues year after year.

In the 2023/2024 harvest (Document Series 467), the results show that the number of IPM adherents has been increasing due to producers' awareness of the need to optimize the use of inputs, especially those that negatively affect the environment.

When we talk about input optimization, the issue isn't just environmental, but also technical and financial. Some active ingredients already face strong selection pressure, requiring more frequent applications and higher doses—which increases costs and risks. Therefore, it's essential to rotate their use with other available alternatives and, most importantly, encourage the development and registration of new pesticides: more efficient, selective, and specific, capable of integrating IPM in an intelligent and sustainable way.

The producer as the protagonist of the MIP

For agricultural engineer and rural producer Sadi Filho, from Paraná, who manages soybean, corn, and sugarcane crops in Londrina, Paraná, IPM is the foundation of his field routine: "Integrated pest management doesn't eliminate the use of chemical pesticides, but it uses them intelligently and rationally, combining biological, cultural, and genetic methods to keep crops healthy, productive, and environmentally responsible. I find it simple and effective."

He explains that the routine of those who adopt IPM is quite different from that of producers who follow only spraying schedules or rely on a single control tool. IPM requires planning, continuous monitoring, and integrated strategies, but it produces consistent results in the field.

"In my opinion, it makes things easier because we work ahead of the problem. An essential part of the routine is weekly or even more frequent monitoring: setting traps (such as pheromones and adhesives), taking manual samples at strategic points in the field, and recording everything. This takes time. It may seem laborious at first, but eventually it becomes second nature," he adds.

Since starting IPM-based practices more than two harvests ago, Sadi has already achieved savings of around 10% in the use of chemical pesticides, maintaining crop productivity and reducing production costs.

Agronomic, environmental and economic benefits

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has proven to be a strategy capable of generating consistent gains in the field, combining productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Experiences documented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in different regions of the world—from small farms in Asia and Latin America to commercial farms in the United States—prove that, when implemented correctly, IPM:

• Increases productivity: in different contexts, yields increased between 13% and 19%, resulting from more balanced crops, with less pest pressure and better use of the plants' productive potential.

• Reduces production costs: by rationalizing the use of inputs (especially insecticides) and prioritizing truly necessary interventions, producers avoid waste and improve their profit margins.

• Reduces the risk of imbalances in the field: practices such as monitoring and the integrated use of different control methods reduce the negative impact on natural enemies and pollinators, preserving essential ecosystem services.

• Increases the resilience of the production system: crops managed based on IPM tend to respond better to climate variations and pressures from emerging pests.

The role of chemical pesticides

Technological advancements in chemical pesticides have made them increasingly selective, meaning they can act with high efficiency on target pests while preserving natural enemies and pollinators—essential elements for a balanced agroecosystem.

Furthermore, more modern molecules offer greater efficacy in smaller doses and can be applied using more assertive methods to the target to be controlled (pest), increasing the cost-benefit for the producer.

Recent innovations, such as the use of nanotechnology in chemical and biological formulations, have further increased the level of precision and sustainability in integrated pest management.

Another important point is safety. Like all other registered active ingredients, new active ingredients and products undergo toxicological and environmental evaluation processes, in addition to agronomic assessments, before being registered, ensuring that their use aligns with international standards for protecting human health and the environment. Due to advances in research and science, these new ingredients tend to have more favorable toxicological and environmental profiles. 

There's no doubt about the importance of awareness and knowledge regarding the use of chemical pesticides—whether to achieve greater control effectiveness, improve selectivity, or manage resistant pest populations. Therefore, it's crucial that new pesticides—more efficient, specific, and safe—continue to be developed and registered to maintain productivity and sustainability in the field.

IPM in Brazil is proof that science, technology, and strategy can work together to generate concrete results in the field. By integrating different tools—from pest monitoring to new chemical molecules—it is possible to increase productivity, reduce risks, and preserve natural resources.

*Per Gabriela Vieira, agricultural engineer specializing in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological products, and Peeling back the Science, communications company