Analysis of lock-in mechanisms affecting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Cambodia

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been promoted for decades in Cambodia, but pesticide reliance remains pervasive. The proposed study is on the lock-in mechanisms that affect pesticide reliance at farm level, to identify barriers for a transition towards widespread use of IPM in Cambodia. Considering the interdependent and multi-level dynamics that affect rice pest management, and consequently the trajectory of IPM, the proposed study will entail various activities. It will include review of policies, and IPM projects or the institutional conditions affecting IPM, analysis of stakeholders involved, as well as interviews of farmers and analysis of survey data on farming practices that are interconnected with pest management. This study takes off from an on-going project of IRRI to develop an IPM package for rice in Cambodia, and also contributes towards action research for rice IPM.