Potato is one of the most important products in food basket around the globe and, even though it is sensitive to pests and diseases that account for about 80% of economic losses, agricultural health measures are able to ensure the cultivation of the tuber.
The National Service for Agricultural Sanitation (Senasa) promotes an efficient comprehensive pest management of the tuber along with Farmers Field Schools (ECAs) in order to have good harvest and healthy crops, and protect the environment and health of the population.
The comprehensive pest management, conducted by Senasa, monitors and intervenes potato crops, benefits over 4,600 hectares of crop area from more than 5,000 farmers and, reduces pesticide costs by 75%, replacing them by natural ones that improve production quality.
It is important to determine the crop location, select its variety taking into account staggered planting and crop rotation, and facilitate responsible management of soil and water.
Harvest, storage and biodiversity preservation should be also considered to enable the monitoring and, therefore, prevent pests in crops.
A distinction should be made between pests and beneficial insects when choosing the right pesticide; it should be based on existing security standards and good agricultural practices.
Senasa benefits more than 700,000 families and 500 farmers from Apurimac, Ayacucho, Cusco, Cajamarca and Huancavelica —as they are trained by 70 ECAs, where they learn about efficiency, potential lands, and pest control strategies— as well as those from Arequipa, Puno and La Libertad —who are assisted in pest management.
(END) MVM/JJN/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/27/2016