Opportunities for graduates of IPM and related areas in international agriculture
S. A. MILLER (1)
(1) The Ohio State University OARDC, Wooster, OH, U.S.A.
Phytopathology 101:S228

Increasing agricultural productivity is key to improving the livelihood of farm families, alleviating food insecurity and improving prospects for economic growth in developing countries. Plant diseases, insect pests and weeds significantly reduce crop productivity, and misuse of pesticides is very common. While richer nations have made investments in developing countries for decades, their focus has returned to agricultural development as a means of poverty reduction. This has resulted in a demand for expertise in disciplines that directly impact food security. Graduates of IPM and related programs can contribute to these efforts as volunteers or through public or private sector employment. For example, International Agricultural Research Centers provide employment opportunities in modern laboratories that rival those in the developed world. Private sector development organizations seek a wide range of technical expertise for short- and long-term projects. Land Grant Universities have a long history of participation in agricultural development. Programs such as the USAID-funded Collaborative Research Support Programs, particularly the IPM CRSP, provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff to develop and implement IPM solutions to crop production problems in developing countries. Small grant programs, including the APS Office of International Programs Global Experience, support projects between APS members and developing country partners.

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