Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a concept that is gaining credence rapidly in Ethiopia as elsewhere. Hence, the agricultural extension program is firmly established as the national strategy, the government and particularly MoA, recognizes that the use of improved seeds and inorganic fertilizers has stimulated pest problems. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has emphasized that IPM is the preferred long-term option for pest management. Also, the above-mentioned inputs are too costly for the vast majority of farmers in the country. It is recognized that their use poses health and environmental hazards to farmers, land and water resources. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in supporting the IPM approach, says, “the presence of pest does not automatically require control measures as damage may be insignificant…. a system of non-chemical methodologies should be considered before a decision is taken to use pesticides. Suitable pest control methods should be used in an integrated manner and pesticides should be used on as needed basis only. IPM does not, therefore, preclude the use of agrochemical; they tend rather to be seen as a last resort to be used only if they can be economically justified and used in a manner that will cause the least possible disruption to other control mechanisms such as natural enemies”.

In view of the aforementioned fact, this study aims to fill the gap between existing technology at different levels and supporting policy environment.

The objectives of the study include:

• Investigate the status i.e. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges (SWOC) in promotion of IPM in the country in order to come up with better advocacy strategy for the implementation of IPM policy.
• Provide input to the policy makers in the process of developing the IPM policy framework and implementing agencies.
• Investigate curricula gap specific to Agricultural Colleges/Universities, Training Centers and Technical Schools to come up with possible recommendations.
• Develop a field manual that would help to respond to farmers’ plant protection needs.
• Identify future research agendas based on the study outcomes.
• Conduct inventory and document important IPM technologies as well as indigenous knowledge to come up with associated packages specific to important pests of major crops in certain parts of the country.