Smart Net-Zero

May 13, 2025 | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) |

The International Technology Cooperation Center of Korea’s Rural Development Administration (ITCC-RDA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) held a 5-day training on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Laguna, Philippines, on May 13, 2025. First introduced in the 1970s, IPM emphasizes prevention and ecological control over chemical use, tackling pesticide resistance and climate impacts. IRRI scientists noted that rice yields decline by 10% for every 1°C rise in minimum temperature, highlighting the urgency of sustainable practices. To address this, IRRI promotes Climate-Smart Pest Management (CSPM), which integrates IPM with climate adaptation to cut pest-driven losses, raise farmer incomes, and build resilience. In the Philippines, farmers are scaling CSPM through Biological Control Agents (BCAs) such as Trichogramma against Yellow Stem Borers (YSB), with policy and investment support critical to ensure sustainable adoption.