Kota Kinabalu: Research and Development (R&D) is key to effective agroforest pest control under integrated pest management (IPM) which emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agroecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations defines IPM as “the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimise risks to human health and the environment. This requires a strong, collaborative R&D base to achieve.”

“R&D promotes resilience from using the best genetics, site/genetics matching, best nutrition, best weed management, and best silviculture etc. to grow healthy trees to resist pests and diseases.”

University of the Sunshine Coast of Australia Associate Professor of Forest Research Institute, Dr Simon Lawson said this in presenting his paper: “Implementing Integrated Pest Management in Industrial Tree Plantations in Sabah: Challenges and Opportunities” and he opined that prospect is good for forest products.