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CIHEAM Zaragoza hosts the first pilot training module on sustainable pest management strategies that will be replicated across Europe
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > CIHEAM Zaragoza hosts the first pilot training module on sustainable pest management strategies that will be replicated across Europe
  • On 20 and 21 June experts from 15 countries will be in Zaragoza to simulate an IPMWORKS training programme for farmers, advisors and technical specialists

  • Directive 2009/128 on the sustainable use of pesticides is currently under discussion in the European Union

Zaragoza, 15 June 2023.- The rural landscape is in the midst of a process of change towards a more sustainable production model, less dependent on phytosanitary products. This process requires time, training and technical support. In order to help farmers during this transition, and within the framework of the IPMWORKS European project, CIHEAM Zaragoza has drawn up a series of training modules on integrated pest management as part of a suite of strategies that will help to reduce pesticide use.

On 20 and 21 June, 40 experts from 15 countries, all partners of the project, will meet at CIHEAM Zaragoza on the Campus of Aula Dei to review the modules they have developed and define how they can be applied in training activities targeting farmers, advisors and technical specialists across Europe.

IPMWORKS aims to demonstrate and promote cost-effective IPM strategies. In this sense, the project will provide contributions and arguments for the current debate on the proposal for an EC Regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products in the framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy, that seeks to update the regulations that date back to 2009 (Directive 2009/128) concerning the use of pesticides.

Joaquín Balduque, IPMWORKS project manager at CIHEAM Zaragoza talks about the project: “IPMWORKS shows that integrated pest management can contribute to the reduction in pesticide use and grow healthy products for the consumers and the environment, and at the same time guarantee yields and profitability for farmers”. He goes on to say: “The IPMWORKS training module tool will be made available for farmers, technical specialists and advisors to share the knowledge generated by all the experts involved in the project”.

CIHEAM Zaragoza is in charge of the dissemination, communication and training work package of the project, and has designed these training modules with the experts in the international consortium (IPMWORKS has 31 partners from 16 countries) and with external collaborators. The workshop organized in Zaragoza will be an opportunity to test this training material through simulations so that participants can determine the best way to use them in different contexts. Likewise, the experts from other countries in Europe will have the opportunity to find out what is being done in Aragón in terms of insect pest management.

Besides the specific training activities, all material created will be made publicly available as a resource for agriculture professionals.