This categorisation is market-oriented rather than following a strict scientific reasoning, and it Farming systems in developed and developing countries are fundamentally different, with predominantly mechanised large-scale agriculture in the former and smallholder farming in the latter case. Also in Southeast Asia, smallholder farming is the dominant form, which still provides for the livelihoods of the majority of the rural population. Although agriculture in industrialised countries is often characterised as ‘modern’, it evolved and is maintained today on a basis of enormous inputs and subsidies (particularly in Europe and the US) that raises concerns regarding the competitiveness and sustainability of this approach. As ASEAN countries aim to strengthen food security in the region, the questions arises: what is the most appropriate approach here for agriculture in general and pest management strategy in particular? Promotion of biocontrol techniques often has been promoted by governments in Southeast Asia: as part of their strategy to increase levels of food safety (i.e. the reduction of chemical residues in food) and reduce contamination of the environment. The constraints to the broad adoption of biocontrol techniques can be related to a lack of: (i) commercially available biocontrol products for a substantial range of pest problems, (due to their ‘niche’ status); (ii) awareness of the importance of beneficial insects in pest management; (iii) awareness by producers of the risks of residues in food and, more generally, pesticides in the environment., (iv) an easily perceived ‘knock-down’ with non-synthetic 13 • Macro-organisms (macrobials), • Semiochemicals (mostly pheromones, kairomones, etc.), • Natural products (plant extracts or ‘botanicals’, fermentation4and other products) explicitly includes products that are not regarded ‘classical’ biological control agents. 1.1.2 Farmers and other stakeholders pesticides. The application of biocontrol products (as opposed to ‘classical’ biological control) may also be more complex than the use of chemicals: involving the need for substantial training of farmers to understand better the true costs and benefits of the various options: not least the health and safety of farm workers. To date, farmers are practically never held liable for environmental and other damage caused by their operations, partly because it has proved difficult to monetise the environmental and health benefits of sustainable agriculture. Biocontrol can most easily been turned into money from the consumer, by paying more for food, when produce has been labelled as ‘organic’. The scope for sustainable, biorational pest management techniques is more than this and other certification schemes5 appear to be growing. The FAO stated “For (the farmers) to benefit, higher food prices would need to be transmitted through the entire value chain all the way to the small producer.” The means by which appropriate and innovative technologies can be brought to rural areas involve 4 In the 5th Ed., fermentation and other products will be included in a new section - currently called ‘others’ in the USA - these may include naturally-occurring ‘biorational’ active substances and products. 5 Including FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified. Most organic certifiers are affiliated to International Foundation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
Implementing Biological Control Agents in the ASEAN Region
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