Answer :
Final answer:
Both farmers and the environment in Kenya benefit from the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. These practices help reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, protect beneficial organisms, and support sustainable agriculture.
Explanation:
Do farmers and the environment benefit from adopting integrated pest management practices in Kenya? The answer is A) Yes, both farmers and the environment benefit from integrated pest management practices in Kenya. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecologically-based approach that seeks to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. It is a combination of common-sense practices that involve:
- Managing pests to keep them below economically damaging levels instead of seeking eradication.
- Relying on non-chemical measures to keep pest populations low as much as possible.
- Selecting and applying pesticides in a way that minimizes adverse effects on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment, when chemical interventions are necessary.
Adopting IPM has the potential to benefit farmers by reducing input costs and maintaining or increasing crop yields while at the same time benefiting the environment by reducing pesticide runoff and preserving beneficial insect populations and soil health. Moreover, it aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture, which prioritizes approaches with the lowest environmental impact.
