- Author: Surendra K. Dara
UC ANR Cooperative Extension Advisor Surendra Dara's new IPM model is considered a practical and sustainable approach by educators and practitioners around the world, with an estimated benefit of $33.5 million from improved returns or savings.
The Issue
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a concept of pest management in an ecologically sustainable manner. Although IPM implementation has been promoted for decades and many farms apply IPM practices to some extent there are certain deficiencies in the understanding of IPM and its components and finding non-chemical management options or exploiting cultural practices to improve crop health and yields. The traditional IPM model faces certain challenges because of its limitations for practical applications. There is a need to improve the understanding of growers, pest control advisors, and crop advisors in developing comprehensive crop care strategies using IPM principles, and then there is also a need to revise the traditional IPM model to fit the modern production trends and consumer preferences. The ultimate goal is to improve IPM knowledge and implementation locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
How UC Delivers
UC ANR Cooperative Extension Advisor Surendra Dara has been conducting extensive research in providing multiple IPM options such as chemical, botanical, and microbial pesticides for pest and disease management. He also conducts research with biologicals exploring their potential in promoting crop growth and health and their direct or indirect contribution to pest and disease management. Dara recently redefined the IPM paradigm and developed a new model that is economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable. In addition to extending his research information locally and internationally, he has been speaking at various scientific conferences and extension meetings sharing the new IPM model. He has also provided IPM trainings to vegetable farmers in Mozambique and ornamental farmers in Guatemala in 2019, in addition to similar trainings in other countries such as Haiti and Myanmar. Through these efforts, Dara extended the IPM information to professors, researchers, extension professionals, growers, pest control advisors, crop advisors, and others and continues to do IPM education within and outside the United States.
The Impact
An anonymous online survey conducted during one month between early December 2019 and early January 2020 received responses from across California, Hawaii, and several states on the east coast of the US as well as from international respondents representing Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Uganda, and other African, Asian, and Central American countries. Out of the 115 responses, 95.7% indicated that they found useful information from Dara's outreach and that they have applied or would apply the information on their farms. Dara's outreach information has been or expected to be applied on nearly 955,000 acres with a $33.5 million improvement in farm income or savings. Another study has shown that the value of UC IPM resources to state-licensed pest control advisors is estimated to by $34 million annually. Survey respondents also indicated that they have further shared the information developed by Dara to over 142,000 of their colleagues, students, clients, or subscribers. Survey respondents included growers, pest control or crop advisors, private researchers, agricultural industry partners, and university faculty or researchers. The new IPM model Dara developed was published in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management in late April 2019 and has been read or downloaded more than 9,200 times so far. This model improves the efficiency of pest management, optimizes the associated costs, and increases the farm profitability. As this model continues to be applied in many farming systems, it increases agriculture efficiency and profitability. In this way UC ANR contributes to the public value of promoting economic prosperity in California.
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>The Oct. 5-7, 2015, Joint Strategic Initiative conference had great participation, with 353 people attending. During the January Strategic Initiative (SI) leaders meeting with Bill Frost, we carefully reviewed the conference feedback. The conference evaluation survey had a good response rate (23%). A summary of responses to the closed-ended questions is at http://ucanr.edu/sites/2015jointsiconference. Below are some highlighted themes from the open-ended questions, and how we are planning to address them:
- 75 percent of respondents liked the Joint SI Conference format compared to having individual SI conferences.
- In response to this preference, as well as to better facilitate synergies with Workgroups and Program Teams, we plan to have SI-hosted conferences in 2016-17. Multiple SIs will co-sponsor, and the conferences will be co-planned with relevant Program Teams or Workgroup leaders.
- When asked “What did you learn during the conference that you may use in your work?,” the respondents' most common themes were 1) in-service trainings, 2) networking and 3) better understanding of ANR.
- These aspects will continue to be emphasized in the future SI co-hosted conferences.
- When asked “What is working well?” withtheSIs, the themes explain thattheSIs provide value for outward messaging, as well as focus, direction and coordinated effort.
- To build on existing strengths, we will develop a more formal external communications strategy for the SIs, to include producing an impact piece to illustrate the value of the SIs to ANR, UC and California. In addition, we will be working with ANR's Communication Services and Information Technology to improve the SI webpages and social media presence, and to develop regular communications tools.
- When asked “What could make the SIs better?,” the themes found that some people are still unclear about SIs, including overall function, respective priorities, cross-disciplinary efforts and impact.
- To help clarify the role and scope of the SIs, we plan to take a more active role in orienting new academics to the SIs. We are considering participation in the new academic program orientation, county director meetings and program team meetings, and to initiate meetings with small groups of new advisors and specialists.
- To facilitate improved understanding of the SI priorities, we will encourage all advisors and specialists to apply for the ANR Competitive Grants Program at least once, and provide Letter of Intent writing training. This will help ensure that academics are familiar with the SI strategic plans and priorities, given these are the focus of the Request for Proposals (RFP).
- To better capture and communicate SI impact, we discussed creating a project recognition program, and will work to develop a coordinated evaluation plan. We will meet with county directors, department chairs and campus-based specialists to share information on SIs and hear about successful ANR network collaborations.
We thank all those who provided this valuable feedback about the 2015 conference. We will continue to seek input as we develop and implement strategies to coordinate ANR's considerable infrastructure and talent, focusing on the most critical issues, seeking new resources and new ways of partnering within and outside UC, and communicating our collective impact finding science-based solutions for California.
Sincerely,
ANR's Strategic Initiatives Leaders
David Doll, Sustainable Food Systems
John Harper, Sustainable Natural Ecosystems
Keith Nathaniel, Healthy Families and Communities
Doug Parker, Water Quality, Quantity, and Security
Cheryl Wilen, Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The 2015 UC ANR Joint Strategic Initiative Conference will be held October 5-7 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J Street, in Sacramento.
Who should attend: Academics affiliated with ANR – UCCE Advisors, UCCE Specialists, AES Faculty, Program Directors and Academic Coordinators.
Submit a poster abstract to participate in a poster session. To be given priority consideration, please submit poster abstracts by June 1. For details, see http://ucanr.edu/sites/2015jointsiconference/Call_for_Posters.
At the conference, you'll have the opportunity to
- Meet the new Vice President (to be invited) at the Monday evening reception.
- Participate in planning sessions for the Strategic Initiatives.
- Learn about successful research projects.
- Take advantage of free training sessions.
- Request space for your Program Team or Workgroups to meet.
- Network at the Stakeholders' Reception on Tuesday evening.
The conference is being coordinated through the five UC ANR Strategic Initiatives:
- Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases (EIPD)
- Healthy Families and Communities (HFC)
- Sustainable Food Systems (SFS)
- Sustainable Natural Ecosystems (SNE)
- Water Quality, Quantity and Security (Water)
For more information, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/2015jointsiconference or contact conference co-chairs Doug Parker, (510) 987-0036, and David Doll, (209) 385-7403. For logistics, contact UC ANR Program Support Unit, Sherry Cooper, (530) 750-1256, or Saundra Wais, (530) 750-1260.
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
An article in the current issue of California Agriculture, the peer-reviewed journal from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, examines the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds in California and shows how UC researchers and Cooperative Extension specialists are helping growers to understand and manage the factors that drive it.
Five more articles in this special issue of California Agriculture highlight the work of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources on pests and diseases that threaten the state's people, agriculture and natural resources. The commitments to research and outreach profiled in the issue include the Endemic and Invasive Pests Strategic Initiative, the UC Statewide IPM Program and several successful collaborations with regulatory agencies and the agricultural community.
Diagnostics in animal health: How UC helps exclude and minimize impact of livestock pathogens
Whether it's pinkeye, bluetongue or poisonous plants, UC maintains a strong network of laboratories and field experts to protect livestock health in California.
Regional alliances of federal, state and university plant diagnostic labs work together to identify and control disease spread.
Managing newly established pests
Growers, scientists and regulators collaborate on European grapevine moth program
A regulatory program coordinated by government agencies, scientists and growers successfully contained an infestation that threatened California vineyards.
The 1999 arrival in California of a new Pierce's disease vector, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, posed a major new threat to California vineyards and orchards. A 15-year collaborative effort has successfully contained the sharpshooter and led to major improvements in our understanding of the biology of Pierce's disease, including promising advances in the development of disease-resistant grapevine lines.
Maintaining long-term management
Herbicide-resistant weeds challenge some signature cropping systems
Little or no crop rotation and limited herbicide options have contributed to the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds in orchards, vineyards and rice fields.
Over 35 years, integrated pest management has reduced pest risks and pesticide use
The UC Integrated Pest Management Program helps provide management solutions for invasive pests that destabilize IPM programs in agricultural and urban landscapes.
E-edition research article
The cost of the glassy-winged sharpshooter to California grape, citrus and nursery producers
The spread of the invasive insect in the late 1990s led to increased costs and changes in agricultural practices for grape, citrus and nursery producers.
These articles and the entire October-December 2014 issue are available at http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu.
California Agriculture is the University of California's peer-reviewed journal of research in agricultural, human and natural resources. For a free subscription, go to http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu or write to calag@ucanr.edu.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is the bridge between local issues and the power of UC research. UC ANR's advisors, specialists and faculty bring practical, science-based answers to Californians. Visit ucanr.edu to learn more.