Skip to main content
NITA AccreditedIntermediatePhysical + Virtual5 daysONwp

Training on Integrated Pest and Disease Management for Agronomy

Gain practical skills in pest and disease control for healthier crops. Learn IPM, field diagnosis, chemical safety, and biological control to boost productivity and resilience.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

5 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Intermediate

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

This course is designed to equip agricultural professionals, extension officers, and farmers with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for identifying, preventing, and managing crop pests and diseases. With increasing pressure from climate change and global trade, sustainable pest and disease control is essential for maintaining food security and boosting crop productivity. Through classroom instruction and case-based learning, participants will explore integrated pest management (IPM), modern surveillance tools, biological control methods, and chemical safety practices.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

  • Agronomists and Agricultural Extension Officers

  • Commercial and Smallholder Farmers

  • Crop Protection Specialists

  • Agricultural Researchers and Technicians

  • Government Plant Health Officers

  • Input Suppliers and Agro-Dealers

Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify common crop pests and diseases based on symptoms and lifecycle

  • Understand the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

  • Apply biological, cultural, and chemical control methods effectively

  • Use digital tools and scouting techniques for pest monitoring

  • Design pest and disease control programs based on ecological and economic thresholds

Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Foundations of Pest and Disease Management

  • Introduction to major crop pests, diseases, and plant pathogens
  • Economic impact of pest and disease outbreaks on agricultural productivity
  • Basics of pest biology, disease cycles, and epidemiology
  • Factors contributing to pest infestations and disease spread
  • Case Study: Impact of Fall Armyworm and fungal diseases on crop production
  • Practical: Identify common pest and disease symptoms in field crops

Module 2: Pest and Disease Identification and Diagnosis

  • Field scouting and crop inspection techniques
  • Visual identification of pests, nutrient deficiencies, and diseases
  • Use of mobile apps, digital tools, and rapid diagnostic methods
  • Laboratory and on-site disease diagnosis procedures
  • Case Study: Early detection systems for crop disease management
  • Practical: Conduct a field diagnosis and pest identification exercise

Module 3: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies

  • Principles and components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Cultural, biological, mechanical, and physical pest control methods
  • Use of resistant crop varieties and crop rotation strategies
  • Biological control using predators, parasitoids, and bio-pesticides
  • Case Study: Successful IPM programs in horticulture and cereal farming
  • Practical: Develop an IPM strategy for a selected crop production system

Module 4: Safe and Effective Chemical Pest Control

  • Understanding pesticide classifications, labels, and formulations
  • Safe handling, storage, and application of pesticides
  • Managing pesticide resistance and minimizing environmental impact
  • National and international regulations for pesticide use and compliance
  • Case Study: Reducing pesticide misuse through farmer training programs
  • Practical: Demonstrate safe pesticide mixing, calibration, and application techniques

Module 5: Pest Surveillance, Monitoring, and Control Planning

  • Designing pest scouting and surveillance programs
  • Data collection, reporting systems, and early warning approaches
  • Community-based pest and disease monitoring initiatives
  • Developing integrated pest and disease management action plans
  • Case Study: National pest surveillance and early warning systems
  • Final Project: Develop a comprehensive pest and disease management plan for a target farming area
Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Boost profitability and resilience by cutting pesticide costs and preventing crop losses.

  • Strengthen reputation through sustainable, compliant, and eco-friendly practices.

  • Improve crop quality and marketability with healthier, residue-free yields.

Personal Impact

  • Gain in-demand expertise in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

  • Advance into senior farm management or advisory roles.

  • Drive sustainability and profitability with evidence-based decisions.

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

The goal is to equip you with the skills to design and implement an effective Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM) program. You'll learn to manage crop health using a sustainable and data-driven approach.

Course finder

Find the right course for you

Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.

For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Integrated Pest and Disease Management for Agronomy in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.