Striking a Balance

Since World War II, chemical pesticides have become the major means of controlling agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects. However, unilateral reliance on chemicals has led to the emergence of resistant pests, to chemical residues in harvested crops, and hazardous side effects on predatory birds and fish. This programme looks at the successful switch from chemicals to natural pest controls in Peru’s Canete Valley, and experimentation in "integrated control” at the University of California; but also points out that there is a continuing need for inexpensive DDT in such malaria-infested countries as Ceylon.