RESUMO
An evaluation mission was organized by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office on the effectiveness, sustainability and replicability of the project to assist in the implementation of the World Health Organization's new strategy on integrated vector management (IVM). integrated pest and vector management (IPVM) builds upon the successful experience in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is based on the practical, field-based education imposed to groups of rice farmers during weekly sessions at the Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Farmers learn the skills of observation-based crop management to grow better crops in healthier environments and reduce dependence on the use of insecticides. The wetland rice environment, while providing food and fodder also supports the breeding of the vectors of human diseases. The IPVM project with support from FAO and UNEP was initiated in Sri Lanka in 2002 has been unique in connecting vector management with agricultural activities, involving farming communities in observation-based decision-making on vector management. The mission team observed that farmers will able to analyse their agricultural and pen-domestic environments and make sound decisions on the management of not only vectors in a sustained manner, but also pests and crops. The IPVM-FFS alumni reported a sharp drop in insecticide use which was attributable to training. Vector management activities are being practised following the FFS training, including small-scale local rearing of fish, clearing of coconut shells and containers, covering water containers at regular time intervals, and group action on household and village sanitation, and preventive measures such as bed net use. The mission found that convergence between activities of the health and agriculture sectors has come a long way, producing effective cross-sector learning and a joint process of curriculum development.