Worldwide pre-harvest agricultural crop losses due to pests are estimated at 36% of potential yield, and post-harvest losses are estimated at an additional 14%. This volume contains two reports to the U.S. Congress about pest management in developing countries. The first report discusses the rationale for supporting programs aimed at decreasing losses due to agricultural, livestock, and human health pests. It also describes A.I.D. policies and regulations governing pest management activities, outlines current A.I.D. programs addressing this area, and discusses some possible future programs. The second report is focused specifically on the problem of pesticide poisoning in developing countries. While accurate data are difficult to obtain, a review of the literature reveals that the number of pesticide poisonings in developing countries appears to be disproportionately higher than in the more developed countries. The report discusses possible reasons for the high incidence, and describes the efforts, both by A.I.D. and other organizations, to improve the situation. (Author abstract, modified)
