GAP, Farmers and Field Realities: GAP, Farmers and Field Realities: Making the connection through Making the connection through

better IPM education and utilization better IPM education and utilization of novel options for pest of novel options for pest

managementmanagement

By: Jan Ketelaar and Harry van der WulpBy: Jan Ketelaar and Harry van der Wulp

A Presentation prepared for the “FAO-Thailand Workshop on Good A Presentation prepared for the “FAO-Thailand Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for fresh fruit and vegetables” Agricultural Practices (GAP) for fresh fruit and vegetables”

Bangkok, Thailand 14-15 September 2005Bangkok, Thailand 14-15 September 2005

Outline PresentationOutline Presentation

1.1. Introduction: some facts related to GAP, food Introduction: some facts related to GAP, food safety and pesticide use in Thailandsafety and pesticide use in Thailand

2.2. Overview of FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Overview of FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme and current Integrated Pest Programme and current Integrated Pest Management (IPM) work in Thailand in relation Management (IPM) work in Thailand in relation to GAPto GAP

3.3. Notes on Pest Management in GAPNotes on Pest Management in GAP

Introduction: Introduction: some facts related to some facts related to GAP, food safety and GAP, food safety and pesticide use in pesticide use in ThailandThailand

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Key facts:Key facts:

Thailand leading food producer and marketed as Thailand leading food producer and marketed as such world-wide (Kitchen of the World campaign)such world-wide (Kitchen of the World campaign)

Various labeling and certification schemes in Various labeling and certification schemes in place, GAP protocols issued, pesticide regulatory place, GAP protocols issued, pesticide regulatory framework and pesticide residue analysis framework and pesticide residue analysis facilities in placefacilities in place

Thailand implements Integrated Pest Thailand implements Integrated Pest Management training through its DoAE and Management training through its DoAE and associated partners (DoA, RPF, DANIDA IPM)associated partners (DoA, RPF, DANIDA IPM)

Thailand regional leader in research/development Thailand regional leader in research/development and production of novel options for pest and production of novel options for pest management, including biocontrol optionsmanagement, including biocontrol options

Key facts:Key facts:

Nevertheless…..Nevertheless…..

Majority of farmers continue to exclusively rely on Majority of farmers continue to exclusively rely on pesticides to manage pest problemspesticides to manage pest problems

Confirmed with general rise in pesticide importsConfirmed with general rise in pesticide imports

Farmer pesticide poisoning wide-spread and Farmer pesticide poisoning wide-spread and generally under-reportedgenerally under-reported

Pesticide residues raise food safety concerns for Pesticide residues raise food safety concerns for domestic consumers and pose trade impediments domestic consumers and pose trade impediments for export crops for export crops

OverviewOverview FAO Regional Vegetable FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme and IPM Programme and current IPM work in current IPM work in Thailand in relation to Thailand in relation to GAPGAP

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The FAO Regional Vegetable IPM The FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme in AsiaProgramme in Asia

(Phase II: 2002-2007)(Phase II: 2002-2007)

Scope and Rationale for the Scope and Rationale for the FAO IPM ProgrammeFAO IPM Programme

Rampant misuse and overuse of pesticides in Rampant misuse and overuse of pesticides in vegetable production in tropical Asia provide the vegetable production in tropical Asia provide the rationale for establishment of FAO Vegetable IPM rationale for establishment of FAO Vegetable IPM Programme.Programme.

The FAO Vegetable IPM Programme is focused on The FAO Vegetable IPM Programme is focused on the Greater Mekong Subregion.the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The FAO Vegetable IPM Programme has, since The FAO Vegetable IPM Programme has, since 1996, worked with governments & NGOs to 1996, worked with governments & NGOs to develop robust National develop robust National VegetableVegetable IPM IPM Programmes;Programmes;

Scope and Rationale for the Scope and Rationale for the FAO IPM ProgrammeFAO IPM Programme National Programmes carry out applied research, National Programmes carry out applied research,

extension and farmer education activities to extension and farmer education activities to promote and support the development and promote and support the development and application of vegetable IPM by Asian smallholder application of vegetable IPM by Asian smallholder farmers;farmers;

Focus on development and application of IPM for Focus on development and application of IPM for major cash crops (tomato, cabbage, eggplants, major cash crops (tomato, cabbage, eggplants, legumes, cucurbits, potatoes, okra).legumes, cucurbits, potatoes, okra).

The standard training approach employed in all The standard training approach employed in all FAO supported National IPM Programmes is the FAO supported National IPM Programmes is the so-called ‘so-called ‘Farmers Field SchoolFarmers Field School’ (FFS) approach.’ (FFS) approach.

What is a Farmer’s Field What is a Farmer’s Field School ? School ?

The primary learning approach used in educating farmers about IPM;

“School without walls”, farmers learn about crop ecology and pest management in the field;

Season-long, from seed to harvest, 25-30 farmers

Aim to help farmers produce safer vegetables and more efficiently through IPM.

Examples of IPM farmers Examples of IPM farmers connecting to GAP and safe food connecting to GAP and safe food marketing channelsmarketing channels

IPM vegetable farmers and links to Green Food IPM vegetable farmers and links to Green Food marketing in China PR marketing in China PR

IPM vegetable farmers and Government Safe IPM vegetable farmers and Government Safe Vegetable programmes in VietnamVegetable programmes in Vietnam

Innovative collaborative IPM for Processing Tomato Innovative collaborative IPM for Processing Tomato in Philippines, with key private sector involvementin Philippines, with key private sector involvement

Farmer groups participating in cabbage IPM in Farmer groups participating in cabbage IPM in Thailand linked to organic (Royal Project) marketing Thailand linked to organic (Royal Project) marketing channelschannels

Example: Cabbage IPM in Example: Cabbage IPM in ThailandThailand Diamond Back Moth (DBM) Diamond Back Moth (DBM)

remains a key pest problem in remains a key pest problem in cabbage production in the cabbage production in the Highlands, triggering frequent Highlands, triggering frequent and toxic pesticide and toxic pesticide applications.applications.

Experiences in highland Experiences in highland production areas elsewhere in production areas elsewhere in Asia demonstrate that effective Asia demonstrate that effective parasitoids can bring DBM parasitoids can bring DBM under control with limited need under control with limited need for additional intervention with for additional intervention with BT sprays, mostly targeted for BT sprays, mostly targeted for other lepidopterous pests.other lepidopterous pests.

Collaborative effort in Thailand Collaborative effort in Thailand for introduction and use of for introduction and use of parasitoids in cabbage parasitoids in cabbage production in Doi Angkham and production in Doi Angkham and Phethabun, linked to farmer Phethabun, linked to farmer education and safe food education and safe food marketing channels.marketing channels.

NotesNotes on Pest Management in on Pest Management in GAP GAP 3

Notes on Pest Management in Notes on Pest Management in GAP GAP

Avoiding pesticide residues is a primary objective Avoiding pesticide residues is a primary objective of GAPof GAP

Pest Management Section of GAPs is paramount to Pest Management Section of GAPs is paramount to achieving this objectiveachieving this objective

Farmers need to know Farmers need to know whatwhat to do and to do and howhow to do it to do it

This requires:This requires:- IPM training- IPM training- access to inputs such as pest resistant varieties,- access to inputs such as pest resistant varieties, biological control inputs, bio-pesticides, etc biological control inputs, bio-pesticides, etc

Suggested questions for WG Suggested questions for WG discussiondiscussion

1.1. WG on TrainingWG on Training

To what extent are IPM training and GAP training To what extent are IPM training and GAP training effectively connected? Is there a need for further effectively connected? Is there a need for further development of linkages?development of linkages?

2.2. WG on Relevance of EurepGAP for ThailandWG on Relevance of EurepGAP for Thailand

Does the IPM gets lost if one moves from Does the IPM gets lost if one moves from commodity specific GAPs (as in Thailand) to sector commodity specific GAPs (as in Thailand) to sector specific GAPs specific GAPs (e.g.: as in FFV EurepGAP) ?(e.g.: as in FFV EurepGAP) ?

Background to EurepGAP Background to EurepGAP question question

Control Points & Compliance Criteria for FFV Control Points & Compliance Criteria for FFV

Introduction: “Introduction: “EUREPGAP is a means of EUREPGAP is a means of incorporating IPM and ICM practices within the incorporating IPM and ICM practices within the framework of commercial agricultural production. framework of commercial agricultural production. Adoption of IPM/ICM is regarded by EUREPGAP Adoption of IPM/ICM is regarded by EUREPGAP members as essential for the long-term members as essential for the long-term improvement and sustainability of agricultural improvement and sustainability of agricultural productionproduction” ”

Background to EurepGAP Background to EurepGAP questionquestionYet .......Yet .......

Out of 64 control points related to Crop Protection, only Out of 64 control points related to Crop Protection, only 2 refer to IPM. The compliance criteria for these 2 2 refer to IPM. The compliance criteria for these 2 points seem vague/flexible and they are not a Major points seem vague/flexible and they are not a Major Must.Must.

Out of 64 control points related to Crop Protection, 8 Out of 64 control points related to Crop Protection, 8 refer to choice of chemicals. These focus on refer to choice of chemicals. These focus on registration status, suitability according to label, registration status, suitability according to label, correct application rate, etc. correct application rate, etc.

These 8 points do not comprise a requirement for These 8 points do not comprise a requirement for selection of a relatively less hazardous product within selection of a relatively less hazardous product within group of permitted products. group of permitted products.

Suggested questions for WG Suggested questions for WG discussiondiscussion

1.1. WG on TrainingWG on Training

To what extent are IPM training and GAP training To what extent are IPM training and GAP training effectively connected? Is there a need for further effectively connected? Is there a need for further development of linkages?development of linkages?

2.2. WG on Relevance of EurepGAP for ThailandWG on Relevance of EurepGAP for Thailand

Does the IPM gets lost if one moves from Does the IPM gets lost if one moves from commodity specific GAPs (as in Thailand) to sector commodity specific GAPs (as in Thailand) to sector specific GAPs specific GAPs (e.g.: as in FFV EurepGAP) ?(e.g.: as in FFV EurepGAP) ?