Introduction

Pest resistance is a growing threat to sustainable horticultural production and global food security. The misuse of chemical pesticides, coupled with a lack of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, has led to increased resistance among major crop pests, significantly reducing yield quality and economic returns for farmers. Training Course on Pest Resistance Management in Horticultural Crops is designed to build expert capacity in pest resistance management through evidence-based strategies, sustainable technologies, and ecosystem-based solutions tailored to horticultural systems.

This course combines practical field-based learning, biotechnology innovations, regulatory frameworks, and advanced diagnostics to equip participants with tools to mitigate pest resistance in horticultural crops. It is ideal for agronomists, researchers, policymakers, extension workers, and value chain stakeholders who seek to enhance resilience in horticultural ecosystems. The program promotes climate-smart agriculture, ecological sustainability, and productivity enhancement using global best practices.

Programme Curriculum

Training Course on Pest Resistance Management in Horticultural Crops

Introduction

Course Objectives

Understand pest resistance dynamics in major horticultural crops
Identify genetic and biochemical mechanisms of pest resistance
Apply IPM strategies to reduce pest pressure
Promote bio-pesticides and natural enemies in crop protection
Enhance diagnostic skills for early detection of resistance
Strengthen pest surveillance systems and monitoring
Implement climate-resilient crop protection methods
Analyze resistance management policies and global regulations
Utilize precision agriculture tools for pest detection
Evaluate case studies of successful resistance interventions
Train on safe pesticide use and application technology
Improve farmer education and stakeholder communication
Develop resistance action plans for target crops

Target Audiences

Horticultural Extension Officers
Agronomists and Crop Consultants
Plant Protection Researchers
Pesticide Regulators and Policymakers
Agribusiness Managers
IPM Practitioners and Advisors
Horticulture Farmers and Growers
NGO and Development Organization Staff

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Basics of Pest Resistance in Horticulture

Definition and classification of pest resistance
Economic impact of resistance on crop yield
Factors contributing to resistance development
Cross-resistance and multiple resistance
Role of crop diversity in resistance suppression
Case Study: Whitefly resistance in tomato fields in Kenya

Module 2: Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques

Pest and disease scouting methods
Use of diagnostic kits and field tools
Digital surveillance tools (apps, drones, IoT)
Risk mapping and geo-referencing
Resistance detection protocols
Case Study: Monitoring Tuta absoluta resistance in greenhouses

Module 3: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies

Biological control methods
Cultural and mechanical control practices
Responsible chemical use and rotation
Economic threshold levels (ETL)
Farmer participatory IPM adoption
Case Study: IPM adoption among avocado farmers in Tanzania

Module 4: Bio-pesticides and Natural Enemies

Types and sources of bio-pesticides
Mass rearing of natural enemies
Application methods and compatibility
Regulatory issues in bio-pesticide use
Farmer awareness and uptake strategies
Case Study: Neem-based bio-pesticide adoption in mango farms

Module 5: Resistance Management Frameworks

Resistance management plans (RMPs)
Use of pesticide resistance action groups (PRAGs)
Mode of action (MoA) labeling
Role of international regulatory bodies
Data-driven policy recommendations
Case Study: Regional pest resistance frameworks in East Africa

Module 6: Climate-Smart Crop Protection

Pest outbreaks under climate variability
Weather-based decision support tools
Use of climate-resilient crop varieties
Ecosystem-based adaptation techniques
Sustainable soil and water management
Case Study: Climate-smart practices in onion production in Ethiopia

Module 7: Farmer Training and Communication

Development of farmer field schools (FFS)
Gender-inclusive training approaches
Use of ICT and mobile learning
Participatory learning tools
Evaluation of training impact
Case Study: SMS-based pest alerts for chili farmers in India

Module 8: Innovation and Emerging Technologies

Use of AI and machine learning in pest detection
Blockchain for pesticide traceability
Smart sprayers and robotics
Genetic approaches to pest resistance
Mobile applications for resistance management
Case Study: AI-based pest management tools in strawberry farms in California

Training Methodology

Participatory lectures and PowerPoint presentations
Hands-on field demonstrations and pest scouting
Group discussions and problem-solving sessions
Case study analysis and peer reviews
Mobile/digital learning tools and quizzes
Pre-and post-training evaluations

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 23 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000