Researchers from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) and China's Yunnan University have completed field trials in Sargodha to test a pest management system aimed at tomato cultivation. The trials were conducted under the Yunnan Fruit-Vegetable-Flower IPM International Joint Lab and focused on pests such as Tuta absoluta, which heavily impact tomato fields in Punjab.
Tomatoes are grown year-round across about 150,000 hectares in Pakistan, yielding around 4–6 tons per acre in open fields, compared with the world average of more than 10 tons per acre. A 2024 study by the Agriculture University of Peshawar noted that low farmer awareness and lack of management practices contribute to infestations and yield losses.
With no officially recommended pesticides available, many farmers use unregulated chemical spraying. "With no officially recommended pesticides available, many farmers resort to heavy, unregulated chemical spraying, fueling pest resistance, degrading soils, threatening biodiversity, and putting human health at risk," said Dr. Abid Ali, a Pakistani agriculturist.
The new approach, called the "3MP" strategy (Multidimensional Management of Multiple Pests), was tested in tomato fields in Chak # 48 NB, Sargodha. Pakistani Ph.D. candidates at Yunnan University, Mr. Jawad Hassan and Miss Sana Anjum, took part in the fieldwork.
"This method moves away from sole reliance on chemicals. Instead, it combines two core techniques: adjusting fertilization to strengthen the tomato plant's natural resistance, and planting specific companion crops like Sesamum indicum and Verbena hybrida adjacent to the tomato crops," explained Dr. Han Peng from the joint lab.
The companion plants act as natural pest controls, with sesame serving as a trap crop and verbena supplying nectar to beneficial insects that prey on pests. "The 3MP strategy demonstrated an over 40% reduction in chemical pesticide use, maintained or even slightly increased tomato yields, significantly improved fruit quality and soil health, a remarkable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming practices, and a notable boost in field biodiversity," said Dr. Han.
The collaboration began in 2023 and is part of global validation of the 3MP strategy, which is also being trialed in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and several European countries. The research has also drawn attention from the European Commission, which supports activities in Europe through the Horizon 2020 program "ADOPT-IPM."
According to Dr. Ali, the next step is policy integration. Workshops will be held for farmers, extension workers, and policymakers to promote the adoption of the 3MP method in national pest management guidelines.
Source: Bloom Pakistan