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Master thesis: Crop protection in organic and non-organic pesticide-free arable farming
Pesticide-free (non-organic) crop production is currently gaining ground in European agriculture as a new alternative pathway between conventional and organic farming. To successfully produce crops without using pesticides, farmers must adopt sustainable crop protection measures, e.g., following the principles of integrated crop protection (IPM) or agroecological crop protection (ACP). Even though both production systems, i.e., pesticide-free non-organic and organic, work without pesticides, the alternative crop protection measures used may differ between organic and non-organic farms. To date, little is known about potential differences between farming systems without pesticides regarding the adoption of alternative crop protection strategies.
A descriptive analysis of the data is conducted by dividing the sample of wheat and maize producers into two subgroups: (a) farmers who adhere to organic farming standards, and (b) farmers who do not use pesticides but do not meet organic standards (possibly enrolled in pesticide-free production schemes).
A descriptive analysis of the data is conducted by dividing the sample of wheat and maize producers into two subgroups: (a) farmers who adhere to organic farming standards, and (b) farmers who do not use pesticides but do not meet organic standards (possibly enrolled in pesticide-free production schemes).
Based on survey data of 1540 Swiss wheat and maize producers, the thesis focuses on the crop protection strategies adopted by organic wheat and maize producers in Switzerland, comparing these practices to those of non-organic, pesticide-free producers. The latter group refers to farmers who avoid using chemical synthetic pesticides specifically for wheat and maize but may apply them to other crops within their rotation. Differences between wheat and maize cultivation methods are analyzed to understand how protection strategies may vary depending on the crop. The analysis furthermore looks at the types of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies employed by both groups, such as long-term strategies like wider crop rotation or more resource-intensive investments, such as specialized machinery. Moreover, differences in farmers’ ratings of the effectiveness of IPM measures are investigated. This comparison sheds light on the diversity of crop protection strategies within different farming systems and provides insights into the perceived efficacy of those approaches.
Main research questions:
1. How does the portfolio of IPM measures differ between organic and non-organic, pesticide free wheat and maize production?
2. What kinds of IPM strategies (i.e., long-term strategies such as wider crop rotation or strategies with a higher investment e.g. for machinery) are used by organic as compared to non-organic but pesticide free producing farmers?
3. Do organic farmers rely more on preventive measures?
4. How do both groups of farmers evaluate the effectiveness of IPM measures?
Based on survey data of 1540 Swiss wheat and maize producers, the thesis focuses on the crop protection strategies adopted by organic wheat and maize producers in Switzerland, comparing these practices to those of non-organic, pesticide-free producers. The latter group refers to farmers who avoid using chemical synthetic pesticides specifically for wheat and maize but may apply them to other crops within their rotation. Differences between wheat and maize cultivation methods are analyzed to understand how protection strategies may vary depending on the crop. The analysis furthermore looks at the types of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies employed by both groups, such as long-term strategies like wider crop rotation or more resource-intensive investments, such as specialized machinery. Moreover, differences in farmers’ ratings of the effectiveness of IPM measures are investigated. This comparison sheds light on the diversity of crop protection strategies within different farming systems and provides insights into the perceived efficacy of those approaches.
Main research questions: 1. How does the portfolio of IPM measures differ between organic and non-organic, pesticide free wheat and maize production? 2. What kinds of IPM strategies (i.e., long-term strategies such as wider crop rotation or strategies with a higher investment e.g. for machinery) are used by organic as compared to non-organic but pesticide free producing farmers? 3. Do organic farmers rely more on preventive measures? 4. How do both groups of farmers evaluate the effectiveness of IPM measures?
Robert Finger (rofinger@ethz.ch) Sharmin Akter (sharmin.akter@mtec.ethz.ch)
Robert Finger (rofinger@ethz.ch) Sharmin Akter (sharmin.akter@mtec.ethz.ch)
