1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Interactive Soil Quality assessment in Europe and China for Agricultural productivity and Environmental Resilience (EU-iSQAPER)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IA PAS) - Poland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

30/06/2016

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Integrated pest and disease management including organic agriculture.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is used in Jastków (N 51.302029 E 22.42336), in Lubelskie Region in Poland under hops. The size of farm with organic hops production is about 6 ha. The case study is embedded in typical agricultural region on rather fertile soils formed from loess. The altitude in the study site is 209 m.a.s.l., average annual temperature 8°C and precipitation 540 mm.

The main characteristics of the technology are the following:
- very strict limits on chemical synthetic pesticide and synthetic fertiliser use,
- absolute prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms,
- taking advantage of on-site resources, such as composts produced on the farm,
- application of beneficial microorganisms and plants extracts for pest and diseases control. Appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment.

Organic farming promotes the use of cover crops and crop rotations. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility. Preventative disease control methods are practiced, including crop rotation. Integrated pest and weed management, and soil conservation systems are valuable tools on an organic farm. The organic farming technology increases the quality of plants, decreases fertilizers and pesticides use, builds healthy soil, supports water conservation, encourages biodiversity. The major activities needed to establish and maintain the Technology are the following: poles for hops growth, natural fertilizers and bioproducts used in organic farming.
Important principles for the processing of organic products include the keeping agriculture in touch with nature.

The benefits of the Technology are the following:
- responsible use of energy and natural resources,
- maintenance of biodiversity,
- enhancement of soil fertility,
- maintenance of water quality.

The farmers can have a problem with pest and diseases, hovewer they like the yield quality of plants cultivated in organic farming system.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Farmer collaborated with Life Sciences University in Lublin to evaluate the influence of different bioproducts in organic farming system.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Conventional agriculture.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Organic hops plantation.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Infografics presents the organic farming technology: high plant and soil quality and beneficial microorganisms application.
The main characteristics of the technology are the following:
- very strict limits on chemical synthetic pesticide and synthetic fertiliser use (BIOLOGICAL MANAGAMENT),
- taking advantage of on-site resources, such as composts produced on the farm (MANURES),
- application of beneficial microorganisms and plants extracts for pest and diseases control (BIOFERTILIZERS).

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

PLN

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

0.28

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Building of terraces	Management	Spring, Summer or Autumn
2.	Manure storage	Management	Spring, Summer or Autumn

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If possible, break down the costs of establishment according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

5000.0

Comments:

The costs include building of terraces for hop production and costs of plants.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Biofertilizers application	Agronomic	Spring, Summer or Autumn
2.	Pests and diseases control (plants extracts application)	Management	Spring, Summer or Autumn

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If possible, break down the costs of maintenance according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

500.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Energy, equipment and labour.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

• family

Land use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

about 6 ha

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

The farmer collaborates with local research units.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Plant diseases, weeds growth	Biological plant protection
Low crop yield, high costs of production	Buying cheaper bio-preparations

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Plant diseases, weeds growth	Biological plant protection

7.1 Methods/ sources of information