What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

The primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to control harmful pests without adversely affecting beneficial organisms. This approach emphasizes a balanced ecosystem where both pest control and the conservation of beneficial species are prioritized. IPM employs a variety of management techniques, including biological control, habitat manipulation, and minimal use of chemical pesticides, ensuring that pest populations are kept below damaging levels while maintaining the health of beneficial organisms like pollinators, natural predators, and decomposers.

This holistic strategy recognizes the complexity of ecosystems and aims for sustainable pest management solutions rather than indiscriminate elimination of all pests. By focusing on the interrelationships within the environment, IPM promotes a health-centric approach that ultimately supports agricultural productivity and ecological integrity. The other options do not align with the principles of IPM; complete eradication of pests can disrupt ecosystems, increasing pesticide usage contradicts the goal of sustainability, and relying solely on chemical methods ignores the integrated approach essential for effective pest management.