ISHS Acta Horticulturae 422: International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production
DEVELOPMENT AND STATUS OF IFP IN POLAND |
| Author: | E. Niemczyk |
| Abstract:
The official establishmend of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) in an organized form commenced in Poland in 1991. Until now (1995) IFP has been practised in all over the country only in apple orchards on a total area of 4239 ha, by 776 growers, organized in 39 groups. The first labelled apples from IFP orchards were produced in 1993. In 1994 – 289 orchardists obtained certificates for about 40 000 tons of the fruits. It is estimated, that in 1995 about 500 fruit growers may obtain the certificates for about 60 000 tons of apples. In Poland, research dealing with biological control and integrated pest management began over 30 years ago and investigations into use of environmentally-friendly agricultural practices about 15 years ago. However the official establishment of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) in an organized form began in Poland in 1991. The animator and propagator of IFP is Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture at Skierniewice. Until now IFP has involved only apple orchard which cover about 65% of the fruit growing area. During last 5 years 2540 volunteers, mainly fruit growers, participated in 42 three-days courses on IFP organized by Institute and Agricultural Service. Fifty five orchardists and extension workers participated in 2 profesional trips to Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. Additionaly 4 extension workers took part in 40 days courses at the scientific institutions engaged in IFP in Germany, Belgium and Holland. The growers practicing IFP are obliged to follow the Polish IFP guideline based on the "standard guidelines" valid in Europe (Dickler, Schafermeyer 1991, Cross, Dickler 1994). Growers are obliged also to fulfil the special "field book" in which they note all events dealing with their orchards in actual year. Especially important are data concerning occurrence of the pests and establishment the threshold levels. The trained extension workers which cooperate with the growers visit the IPM orchards several times during the season, teach the farmers and help them to conduct observations and to make decisions, especially concerning the timing and use the proper pesticide. All growers runing their orchards according to IFP rules are the members of Integrated Fruit Production Section of Polish Fruit Grower Union. They may obtain the special certificate and label. | |
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