While the developed world has levels of scientific and technical capacity that allow crop pests to be effectively managed, poorer nations, where food production is incredibly important, are caught in a tug-of-war between modern agriculture and an activist culture that tells them not to trust science.

As a result, not only are crop pests not effectively managed, with the disastrous drops in yields that brings, but no one can even be sure what crop pests there are.

The abundance of crop pests in developing countries may be greatly underestimated, according  to an analysis of data on the known distributions of almost 2,000 crop-destroying organisms in 195 countries. Dr. Dan Bebber and Professor Sarah Gurr, of Biosciences at the University of Exeter, say many developing countries harbor hundreds of unreported crop pests and diseases, based on current levels of agricultural productivity.

Up to 20 percent of the world's agricultural production is lost to destructive organisms annually, with further losses post-harvest. Obviously the bulk of those losses occur where modern technology isn't in use, like organic farming and developing nations. The problem isn't just native species.  Developing countries are also less likely to have the capacity to observe invasive species than affluent, technologically-advanced nations and crop pests can be introduced by human activities such as trade and travel. 


Kale growers in Kenya assess their crop for pests. Photo Credit: CABI


