Inventory of IPM tools
The SUPPORT consortium partners have been working on an inventory of IPM tools and measures for the cultivation of wine grape, olive, apple, strawberry, wheat, maize, potato and onion. The tools should contribute to the cultivation in a way that reduces the dependency and use of pesticides while maintaining the farm-economic perspective for the grower.
The inventory includes IPM tools which are used daily, but also other tools that are less common, new, or expected to be used within the next three to five years. The range of tools varies from easily applicable options, which are cost-effective and require minimal labour, to more sophisticated alternatives that demand significant investments and labour hours.
The inventory provides an overview of the most relevant tools in the eight crops that are central to the SUPPORT project, as well as an assessment per tool. It will serve as a valuable resource in project activities and meetings, facilitating discussions among stakeholders.
By providing insights into the adoption of new tools and fostering dialogue about their benefits and drawbacks, the inventory seeks to stimulate further refinement and innovation in IPM practices. Ultimately, it is envisioned that this inventory, along with the broader SUPPORT project, will inform the development of new EU policies on IPM, driven by input from a diverse range of stakeholders.
The Inventory of IPM tools will be available through the project website, following the approval by the European Commission.