Insect pests cause on an average of 30% yield losses, and insecticides are one of the most effective means of controlling insect pests. However, i nsecticide application results in adverse effects on the environment, leaves harmful pesticide residues in food and food products, and their application at times is beyond the reach of resource poor farmers in the semi-arid tropics (SAT). Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative strategies for pest management that are accessible to the farmers and are environmental friendly. Host plant resistance is one of the most economical means of pest management -- it does not have any adverse effects on the environment and there is no additional cost to the farmers. Use of plant resistance in pest management also helps in reducing pesticide residues in food and food products, and reduces the environmental pollution. Progress in developing crop cultivars with resistance to insects has not been as satisfactory as for disease resistance, because of the variation in insect abundance over space and time, genotype x environment interaction, and the additive nature of gene action. The tools of biotechnology can be used to overcome some of these constraints and make plant resistance an effective weapon for pest management.