New online toolbox for Integrated Pest Management knowledge sharing launched
In the face of rising pesticide resistance and the need to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, the change in agricultural production and crop protection methods is a major challenge in Europe. Farmers and their advisors are looking for new ways to improve crop protection through holistic approaches to integrated pest management (IPM). A new IPM Resource Toolbox aims to make it simpler to access digital resources that support this advance.
The IPMWORKS RESOURCE TOOLBOX
The Toolbox is an interactive, online library of IPM resources designed for farmers and advisors. Topics and resources within the Toolbox include alternative agronomic practices, decision support systems, case studies, economic analysis, training guides, and links to past and current IPM initiatives. Developed as part of the EU project IPMWORKS (https://ipmworks.net/, Horizon 2020 project grant no. 101000339), the toolbox is built on an open-source content management system, and can be easily expanded to integrate resources from any IPM initiatives.
The toolbox was designed based on feedback from farmers, advisors and other stakeholders from across Europe, and is available in several languages. You can learn more about the design of the Toolbox here.
LINKING WITH IPM INITATIVES
The Toolbox is effectively a search engine. It allows users to discover relevant IPM resources from sources across Europe, including the IPM Decisions Platform (H2020 grant no. 817617, the SmartProtect Platform (H2020 grant no. 862563, and Organic Eprints. Critically, this means that as new resources are developed and added to external databases, they will also be accessible through the Toolbox.
WHERE TO FIND THE TOOLBOX
To try out the IPM toolbox, visit https://www.ipmworks.net/toolbox/
IPMWORKS is a network of real farms throughout Europe, supported by the H2020 programme. On-site demonstrations are based on “success stories” of farmers implementing all components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which is at the center of the Sustainable Use Directive. IPM includes a stronger use of ecology-based processes, more diversity and more biodiversity, eventually combined with innovative technologies (robotics, precision agriculture, Decision Support Systems and biocontrol). Farmers within the network are working together within small groups coordinated by advisers (so-called “hub coaches”) to progress further in the adoption of holistic IPM. Quantitative data are collected to support the demonstration that “IPM indeed works”, i.e. is efficient and cost-effective, and does not undermine yield performance.
The following information should be included in any publications relating to the project:
The IPMWORKS project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101000339
The IPM Decisions project is a ‘sister’ project to IPMWORKS, and aims to increase the impact of on-farm decision support systems for IPM. IPM Decisions has created an online platform, allowing farmers and advisers to easily monitor insect pests, weeds and diseases across Europe. The platform hosts a range of Decision Support Systems (DSS) which can be adjusted for regional conditions, giving farmers and advisers indicators of current and future risk.
The following information should be included in any publications relating to the project:
The IPM Decisions project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 817617.
