Guidelines for Designing Healthy and Pest-Resilient Farming Systems

Increase species in time and space with crop rotations, polycultures, agroforestry and crop-livestock systems.
Expand genetic diversity with variety mixtures, local germplasm and multilines (or varieties that contain several different genes for resistance to a particular pest). In each case, the crop represents a genetically diverse array that can better withstand disease and pests.
Conserve or introduce natural enemies and antagonists with habitat enhancement or augmentative releases.
Boost soil biotic activity and improve soil structure with regular applications of organic matter.
Enhance nutrient recycling with legumes and livestock.
Maintain vegetative cover with reduced tillage, cover crops or mulches.
Enhance landscape diversity with biological corridors, vegetationally diverse crop-field boundaries or mosaics of agroecosystems.