Integrated Pest Management is needed in all areas of the developing world. Pests—insects, weeds, vertebrates, diseases—respect no borders and spread  through plant and animal migration, wind, water, and by human activity, including trade in plant and animal products.

Concerns over bio-security and invasive species are global issues that require IPM attention in both developed and developing countries. Through IPM, crop losses and pesticide use are reduced, farmer income increased, and education capabilities improved.

One reason IPM CRSP work is so effective is that all development work under this program integrates gender as a critical component.

IPM projects are divided into two broad categories: regional programs and global theme programs. Regional programs address problems of a specific area while global theme programs deal with universal issues.