Workshop 1

Chinese-Danish networking on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides

Workshop 1: 15-17 April, 2012
Boshan, Shandong Province, China

China Agricultural University (CAU) and ICROFS held in collaboration a workshop on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides. The workshop was an activity of the Chinese-Danish networking on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides funded by International Network Programme of the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The workshop was held in Boshan, Shandong Province, and was supported by the local authorities in Boshan District.
Read more on Organic Agriculture in Boshan District.


Background for the workshop:

Minimization of the use of pesticides in organic as well as in conventional agriculture is a priority in Denmark and in China for food safety, environmental protection and economic reasons. There is an increasing demand for organic products in both countries; however, conversion to pesticide free management of the agricultural land at a larger scale requires research on systemic and integrated approaches to pest management at field and landscape level.

Workshop Schedule:
15 April – Fieldtrip
16 April – Seminar (see seminar speakers and presentations)
17 April – Group Discussions

Systemic approaches to pest management is characterised by an in-depth understanding of the agricultural system and integration of pest management in decisions from planning and design of the cropping system, over monitoring and early warning of pests, to direct pests management.

The systemic approach includes considerations to the ecology and complexities of the farming system and farming landscapes in contrast to the more narrow focus on replacing chemical pesticides with natural or bio pesticides. This may include crop rotation and intercropping; selection of resistant crops and varieties; agro-biodiversity/functional biodiversity (diversification at genetic, crop, landscape levels); as well as giving due considerations to specific challenges such as how to capture the traditional and existing innovative system method for pest management without pesticides and combine it with new knowledge and advanced methodologies.

A scientific challenge in pest management without pesticides is the need for further knowledge on the biology of key pests, their interaction with plants and with their natural enemies, and of the cropping system dynamics. For arable crops covering large areas, the use of healthy varieties, crop rotation, sanitation practices and ecological infrastructures is a particular focus for cultivation without pesticides.

Workshop Objectives:

The objective of the workshop was join expertise of Chinese and Danish researchers in order to identify and discuss joint research priorities and key challenges in developing systemic approaches to pest management without pesticides for outdoor crops, distinguishing between the needs of large area arable crops and high value fruit and vegetable production.

See news on the workshop on the CAU website (in chinese)
http://news.cau.edu.cn/show.php?id=0000045452

Chinese-Danish networking on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides

Workshop 1: 15-17 April, 2012
Boshan, Shandong Province, China

China Agricultural University (CAU) and ICROFS held in collaboration a workshop on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides. The workshop was an activity of the Chinese-Danish networking on Systemic Approaches to Pest Management without Pesticides funded by International Network Programme of the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The workshop was held in Boshan, Shandong Province, and was supported by the local authorities in Boshan District.
Read more on Organic Agriculture in Boshan District.


Background for the workshop:

Minimization of the use of pesticides in organic as well as in conventional agriculture is a priority in Denmark and in China for food safety, environmental protection and economic reasons. There is an increasing demand for organic products in both countries; however, conversion to pesticide free management of the agricultural land at a larger scale requires research on systemic and integrated approaches to pest management at field and landscape level.

Workshop Schedule:
15 April – Fieldtrip
16 April – Seminar (see seminar speakers and presentations)
17 April – Group Discussions

Systemic approaches to pest management is characterised by an in-depth understanding of the agricultural system and integration of pest management in decisions from planning and design of the cropping system, over monitoring and early warning of pests, to direct pests management.

The systemic approach includes considerations to the ecology and complexities of the farming system and farming landscapes in contrast to the more narrow focus on replacing chemical pesticides with natural or bio pesticides. This may include crop rotation and intercropping; selection of resistant crops and varieties; agro-biodiversity/functional biodiversity (diversification at genetic, crop, landscape levels); as well as giving due considerations to specific challenges such as how to capture the traditional and existing innovative system method for pest management without pesticides and combine it with new knowledge and advanced methodologies.

A scientific challenge in pest management without pesticides is the need for further knowledge on the biology of key pests, their interaction with plants and with their natural enemies, and of the cropping system dynamics. For arable crops covering large areas, the use of healthy varieties, crop rotation, sanitation practices and ecological infrastructures is a particular focus for cultivation without pesticides.

Workshop Objectives:

The objective of the workshop was join expertise of Chinese and Danish researchers in order to identify and discuss joint research priorities and key challenges in developing systemic approaches to pest management without pesticides for outdoor crops, distinguishing between the needs of large area arable crops and high value fruit and vegetable production.

See news on the workshop on the CAU website (in chinese)
http://news.cau.edu.cn/show.php?id=0000045452