ABSTRACT
Organic farming provides hopes and opportunities to the entire globe to produce and consume food in a healthy way. This is particularly significant considering the prevailing agricultural practices which adversely affect human health and the environment. Crop protection in organic agriculture is as important as crop production. Managing pests of the crop in equilibrium with the ecosystem is the emphasis in the organic production system. Sustainable crop protection strategies in organic farming will rely on the use of resistant varieties, identify and promote the build-up of natural predators and parasitoids of pests, cultural operations that suppress pests and encourage beneficial flora and fauna. Physical methods that help to ward off pests are equally important. Application of local knowledge on pest management including the use of botanicals, indigenous preparations employing locally available resources and use of microbial pesticides offer other handful options of pest control in organic farming. However, adequate knowledge and fine-tuning the options in accordance with the principles and local needs will be a better strategy of insect pest management Comprehensive information of strategies for crop protection in organic farming is a prerequisite to evolving innovative pest control methods suiting needs and agro-ecosystem.
