A farmer has struggled for many years to control crop pests and has utilized integrated pest management as a result. Explain the benefits of integrated pest management in controlling crop pests.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a farmer-driven, ecologically-based approach that reduces reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides and focuses on managing pests rather than eradicating them. It uses a combination of techniques to control pest populations while minimizing harm to beneficial organisms and the environment.

Explanation:

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) refers to a mix of farmer-driven, ecologically-based pest control practices that seeks to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. It involves managing pests rather than seeking to eradicate them, relying on non-chemical measures to keep pest populations low, and selecting and applying pesticides in a way that minimizes adverse effects on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment. IPM is important because synthetic pesticides are costly, lose effectiveness over time, and can harm other species and ecosystems. Adopting IPM can help farmers control pests more effectively and sustainably.