IPMWORKS demonstrates that it is possible to drastically reduce pesticide use while maintaining or boosting farm productivity and profitability.
IPMWORK 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 centre of the SUD Directive and which will increase its importance as the cornerstone of the SUR. 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 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 Farm-to-Fork strategy set the challenging goal of reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% in 2030. Significant changes are needed in crop protection strategies to achieve this goal. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are based on a holistic view of agro-eco systems, creating pest and disease resilient cropping systems that primarily use non-chemical pest management measures (e.g. diversified crop rotations, resistant cultivars, mechanical weeding). Pesticides are applied only when other measures fail to give sufficient control.
We need to demonstrate to European farmers through live examples that it is indeed possible to reduce the reliance on pesticides while maintaining, or even enhancing, farm productivity and profitability. A few pioneer farmers have achieved dramatic reductions in chemical inputs, thanks to a comprehensive holistic vision of IPM. They designed IPM-based strategies to reduce pest pressure, rather than relying exclusively on pesticides for maintaining crop health. IPMWORKS is an EU-wide network of demonstration farms, coordinating groups of such pioneer farmers in 16 European countries.
The network fosters knowledge exchange among farmers to help them progress further towards the adoption of holistic IPM, and organizes demonstration events to convince other farmers. “IPM works” project demonstrations are based on quantitative data collected in the DEMO farms. IPMWORKS is also developing an IPM Resource Toolbox, providing a centralized access to all available digital resources that help farmers in their transition towards advanced IPM.
Advisers have a predominant role in the network, promoting a different way of advising for plant health, based on a strategic and systemic approach and on the facilitation of peer-to-peer learning to help farmers find their own site-specific IPM-based strategies.
The dissemination of IPM-based good practices is supported by internal and external training courses, by a large range of communication channels to communicate “success stories” of holistic IPM (on-farm demo events, YouTube, social networks, conferences, leaflets, articles).
31
partners
16
countries
5
national networks
22
hubs
246
IPMWORKS farmers