Inagro’s research platform for organic crop protection strategies

20 years of organic farming 

In 2001, the province of West Flanders bought a farm near the site of Inagro to support research on organic farming. After a two year conversion period, Inagro could produce organic certified products on the farm. From the start a six year rotation was established with outdoor vegetables and arable crops. The main crops are cereals, cabbage, potatoes, grass-clover, leek and carrots. Other crops are grown occasionally for research on two additional parcels reserved for minor vegetable crops such as lettuce, fennel and beetroot, new leguminous crops and specific trials such as testing different mulches. 

During the past 20 years, the pilot farm has grown and built up a lot of experience in a range of crops and themes. Each year, trials are performed at the trial site in different themes; variety selection, soil fertility, weed control, diseases and pest control and innovative cultivation systems. A reduced tillage system was incorporated since 2016 and all major operations are performed in a controlled traffic system with a GPS-fitted tractor and a fixed wheel centre to centre width of three meters. 

Organic crop protection 

Crop protection in organic farming focuses first and foremost on prevention. Variety selection, crop rotation, adjusted cultivation periods, combined cultivation of different crops, netting… are all important steps towards a successful organic crop. Natural pest control is promoted by providing alternative food sources and shelters for adult forms of natural parasitic and predatory insects. Since 3 years, trials are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the release of parasitic and predatory insects.  

Still, in certain cases, pests or diseases may get out of hand in organic crops and the use of biopesticides or a combination of biopesticides with another method or strategy is needed to ensure sufficient yield and product quality.  

Possibilities for GEP certified trials 

The organic trial farm of Inagro and the 20 years of experience offers opportunities for GEP certified trials specifically for organic crop protection strategies.