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Strengthening
Farmers’ IPM in Pesticide-Intensive Areas |
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DANIDA
IPM Danida project invites you
to read the IPM newsletter and visit the IPM Thailand website:
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IntroductionThe project "Strengthening Farmers' IPM in Pesticide Intensive Areas" (or IPM DANIDA) is a cooperation between the governments of Thailand and Denmark. The project's initial duration was three years (1 July 2001 - 30 June 2004) after which it was extended until 30 September 2006.
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THAILAND
DENMARK | “Good agricultural practices in order to
improve the environment and the safety of farmer and consumer from
hazardous uses of agro-chemicals have been promoted.” |
The two immediate
objectives are:
| “Integrated Pest Management methods
promoted by MOAC and adopted by farmers in the project area.” |
| “Increase of hygienic and organic fruit
and vegetable products at markets in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai, and an
increase in consumers’ knowledge of these products.” |
Project area
The project
has IPM activities in the areas covered by the Offices of
Agricultural Research and Development (OARD) of Chiang Mai,
Phitsanulok, Chai Nat, and Chanthaburi. In addition, the project
also works in the highland area near Chiang Mai, covered by Highland
Agricultural Development Division (HADD) and Royal Project
Foundation (RPF).
What is
IPM?
Our working
definition of IPM
“Integrated Pest
Management” (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing pests and crops
by combining cultural, biological, genetic, mechanical and chemical
methods in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. The 4 principles of
IPM are:
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| Grow
a healthy soil and crop Healthy plants are stronger and thus better equipped to withstand attacks by pests and diseases. IPM farmers are aware and make use of all factors that contribute to the health of the crop (e.g. good crop variety, healthy seeds and healthy seedlings, land preparation, correct spacing, fertilizer management, water management, crop rotation).
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Observe
the field regularly It is important to monitor the field situation at least once a week (observe soil, water, plants, pests, natural enemies, etc.). Farmers who do this can make crop and pest management decisions based on the actual field situation. |
| Understand
and conserve defenders Natural enemies of pests are the defenders of the crop. IPM farmers know these defenders and understand their role through regular observations of the agro-ecosystem. They avoid using poisonous chemicals that kill the beneficial insects. Maintaining a healthy balance between pests and natural enemies becomes their first priority.
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Farmers
become experts in crop management Farmers are capable to improve farming practices by experimenting. They can take the lead in solving problems and sharing knowledge with other farmers.
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Project outputs
Many different stakeholders were involved in the design of the project. Emphasizing a holistic approach towards achieving the project’s objectives, they have formulated a number of quite diverse project outputs.
While many of the project activities leading to these outputs are related to each other, they often involve very different target groups:
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Extension workers, Farmers |
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Farmers, Extension workers, Researchers |
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Farmers, Extension, Public health officials |
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Farmers, Residue laboratories |
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Farmers, Hygienic fresh fruit & vegetables production pilot project |
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Consumers, Media |
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Traders, Consumers, Media |
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Residue testing laboratories |
IPM Training – Increased use bio-pesticides – Risk reduction
To improve the environment and reduce the risks for farmers and consumers, the project organizes IPM training for extension staff and farmers. To be effective, this IPM training has to be practical, participatory and problem oriented. It involves learning about crop ecology and understanding the role of crop defenders, such as beneficial insects and insect pathogens. Regular field observations and the design of studies to solve problems are key elements in IPM training.
The work with farmers involves also the promotion of safer alternatives to pesticides, such as bio-control agents or botanical pesticides. In situations where use of synthetic pesticides is unavoidable, the training program will draw attention to the associated health risks and work towards reducing these risks.
Residue
testing – Certification of farms
| IPM farmers who respond well to the IPM training and
who switch to using safer production methods may benefit from being
certified, which would allow them to market their produce as
"pesticide-safe" or "organic".
The DOA can certify farmers under their GAP (Good Agricultural Practicies) program, which will allow them to sell their produce with the Q-logo. The GAP program involves regular residue testing to verify that residues are below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). Organic farmers who have been certified by DOA will show the new Organic logo on their produce. Organic farming means that the crops has been grown without synthetic pesticides and without synthetic fertilizers.
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Consumer awareness on pesticide hazards - Promotion of "green" produce
Increased concern about the health hazards caused by pesticides and their harmful effect on the environment will create a demand for "greener" food. Via different media (radio, TV, newspapers, Internet) and during exhibitions and field days the project will draw attention to the pesticide issue and at the same time promotes certified food (pesticide-safe, hygienic, organic).
For more information see:
| IPM DANIDA Newsletter |
| IPM Thailand |
Developing and improving residue test kits
Methods that are currently used for rapid testing of pesticide residues on farm produce can only detect insecticides belonging to the chemical groups organophosphates and carbamates. Activities to improve the sensitivity of these existing methods and to develop new test kits that could detect other pesticides (e.g. pyrethroids) are taking place in collaboration with Danish counterpart institutions.
Websites
For websites of DOA, DOAE, DANIDA, Rambøll or TEF please click on the logos below:
More information
Department of Agriculture 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900 Thailand Email: Email address
