Integrated crop protection, some episodes from The Netherlands Frank Wijnands Wageningen University and Research Centre Netherlands

Road map Short introduction in Integrated crop protection Research and results experimental farms The pilot farm networks approach The agricultural community, responsible network of stakeholders approach ? Creating incentives ?

Integrated crop protection strategic approach of sustainable crop protection Prevention Reduce need for control Strategical, tactical, operational Need of control Support decisions (rational) Control Non-chemical, physical, thermal, biological etc. Chemical, where, when, how and what

Integrated Crop Protection & Integrated Farming Systems IOBC - integrated fruit production - 70ties Integrated crop protection Integrated farming systems Development since 1979 Lautenbach (south germany) DFS Nagele NL, arable crops, clay soil, 72 ha Period from , IOBC european network Disciplinary research

IOBC International Organization for the Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants Scientific Non-profit, Non Governmental Organisation since 1956 Studygroups, working groups and commissions Commission on IP guidelines since 1990 ( Guidelines pome, stone and soft fruits, grapes, olives, citrus, vegetables, arable crops Toolbox to help organisations design ICP schemes

ICP in the Netherlands – experimental farms Development farming systems (integrated and organic) DFS Nagele Comparison conventional, organic and integrated Conventional system stopped in 1990 More experimental sites in different regions and sectors period Limited continuation after 2003, focus on elements and on pilot farm networks

ICP methods & techniques - elements Proper crop rotation, optimal fertilisation Resistant and/or tolerant cultivars, seed treatments Decision support systems (traps, crop walking, weather based predictions etc.), action tresholds Natural enemies, biological control Mechanical weed control, band spraying, robotisation Low dose techniques, contact instead of soil herbicides and insecticides Precision Farming, crop scans Emission reduction spraying techniques

Results NL Very convincing results around 1990, The peak in North west european intensification and agrochemical use Reductions of use and impact (various parameters) up to 90% Competing economic results of th IFS systems Period Further reductions in use and impact More robust techniques, suitable for larger scale farms New pesticides contribute to firther reduction in impact Reductions of use and impact (various parameters) 80-99% i.c Perspectives good for application in practice

Input active ingredient (kg/ha)

Emission to the air, EEP-air (kg a.i./ha)

Emission to groundwater: EEPgr. water (ppb)

EYS-waterlife (% treatments exceeding targetvalue)

Working with farmers pilot farm approaches

ICP/IFS in the Netherlands – pilot farms Pilot farm network integrated farming : 38 farms (arable) : 18 farms (vegetable) Farming with future : 40 farms (all sectors) : 350 farms (all sectors, study groups) : network based activities

Pilot farm networks (limited number of farms) Cooperation extension/advisory organisations, research and farmers Farmers are guided intensively, whole farm approach, agronomical demands analysis current situation, implementation and improvement plans guidance in building up experience with new approaches decisions farmers responsability Additional research and measurements Registration / analysis / evaluation Exchange in groups of experiences and farm data Basis for dissemination

Pilot farms results Comparable results to the experimental farms!!!! Under a wide range of varying consitions Intensive dialogue, collaboration and growth process over 4 years Post project research (7 years later) showed a permanent, lasting effect Awareness of outside world, communication, responsibility, aprroaches Farmers concluded to have become better plant growers Relative low adoption of new routines in agricultural community Question: is such an intensive proces needed for all, was there too litlle attention for the community?

Critical success factors - farmers For a successfull application in practice, the farmer has to: Know (knowledge of techniques and methods), Be able (in technical and economical terms, labour, risks, costs etc.) Have the will (vision and motivation) and Be allowed to do so (socially desired behaviour, acceptance in network) Awareness – mentality – behaviour Necessity/use – vision/point of view/strategy - success

Critical success factors - system Software: between the ears: vision, point of view, awarenmess Hardware: knowledge and technology Orgware: support in the business and social network

Working in the agricultural community New pilot approaches

Farming with Future Agricultural network approach Together towards sustainable crop production : 34 regional networks with 400 participating farmers and the related stakeholders : varying cooperation's with farmers and stakeholders Related to the Covenant Crop protection, and the policy of The Ministry on crop protection and fertilisation

Accent glasgroepen in westen van het land, deelnemers echter in meerdere teeltgebieden Groups glas 5 arable, clay 6 arable, sand 4 vegetables 6 bulbs 5 fruit 4 nursery 4 Total 34: 400 participants

Stakeholders – interacting dynamic network Producers of pesticides They produce it Suppliers of pesticides, +/- advice They sell it Farmers union Their members use pesticides Water boards, drinking water companies They are the problem owner Traders Buy the product Retailers Sell the product More independent advice organisations They advice Environmental NGOs

Major objectives New relevant knowledge On-farm testing and developing Best practices with farmers and stakeholders (Best practices) Best practices are the promising new methods & techniques from research feasable and effective methods Realising impact and increasing responsibility stakeholders

Knowledge development crop protection rejected to be adapted ready to use

In the heart of knowledge development Uses the newest knowledge From government sponsored research programmes on crop protection Links this with The practical experience and innovative powers of farmers Develops and tests Together with famers practicable effective and feasible methods for more sustainable farming systems Disseminates new knowledge via the network of advisory, agri-business et. Gives feedback to research and policy (agenda)

Major objectives New relevant knowledge Realising impact Increasing the use of these new methods in agricultural practices Knowledge dissemination together with, traders, suplliers, advisory organisations etc, all relevant stakeholders Working on solutions for specific problemes, often water qualirty issues Stimulating stakeholders to take more responsibilty for sustainabilty in their actions

Knowledge dissemination / circulation Only !! together with stakeholders, in their events and media Focus on consistent message from all stakeholders Large amount of varying forms of communication: demonstrations, articles, open days, workshops, excursions, newsletters, flyers, lectures, presentations etc. Reaching large groups of farmers

Solutions for specific problems Focus on water quality – alliance with water boards Example: Pollution of surface water with herbicides from maize production in Southeast Netherlands Coalition of pesticide producers Syngenta and BASF, suppliers, contractors, water board and farmer union

70 best practices ready for practice that are effective and feasible described in leaflets and broadly disseminated Reaching 1000s of farmers by Yearly some 100 activities organised together with stakeholders to disseminate sustainable (best) practices More stakholders involved in the knowledge dissemination New coalitions of stakeholders for sustainable agriculture in varying composition Results of the project ( )

However Existing routines are hard to change, They got the power of reality Changing behaviour of farmers and stakeholders is difficult and takes time. From inform to advice!!!

Lessons learned – success factors Excellent technology Increasingly hard to find Innovations needed, new principles, new approaches Substantial contribution New, more sustainable approaches should be profitable. Requires vision, policy, money, courage and support Road tested technology Tested with farmers and stakeholders Feasible and effective Basis for dissemination Requires participatory approaches, networks, advisory services, research, farmers

Lessons learned – success factors Involve agricultural community – stakeholders Social contract – agreement start Responsability – first steps Link interests – whats at stake for SH with the sustainabilty issue Increasing interest in sustainability, higher on ladder of interests From the freedom the choose to the responsibilty to choose Requires continuous stakeholdermanagement Support these developments by an organisation – project Independent, Flexible Highly knowledgeble, expertise Skill in process and content

statement Never underestimate the possibilities of the stakeholders They are the professionals in the agricultural business They cause! the current situation – hostage situation When they take sustainability serious anything can happen We must make it their business As one of my board members stated Everyone must want to do what they can do The stakeholders have the key to sustainabilty But only in cooperation

Incentives Economically New technology makes you money!! Government EU support, public concerns, support methods and techniques – ICP ladder Market- demands certification Ethical – ecological – environmental Responsibel behaviour – ssustainablity Make it the norm Legal Pesticide registration Additional rules (buffer strips, control machinery etc)