Technologies

Organic agriculture in hop cultivation [Poland]

Creation: 06/29/2017 1:01 a.m.
Update: 06/14/2019 2:42 p.m.
Compiler: Magdalena Frac
Editor: –
Reviewers: Ursula Gaemperli, Gudrun Schwilch, Alexandra Gavilano

Organic agriculture in hop cultivation

technologies_2852 - Poland

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Completeness: 84%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

land user:

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Lipiec Jerzy

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Poland

Usowicz Bogusław

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Poland

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) {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 6100, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IA PAS) - Poland', 'template': 'raw'}

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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?

2. Description of the SLM Technology

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

Media Gallery

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

Country:

Poland

Further specification of location:

Jastków

Specify the spread of the Technology:

evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

< 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

Jastków, Poland, Organic plantation of hops, Coordinates: N 51.30203 E 22.42336

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. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

Perennial (non-woody) cropping

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

flower crops - perennial

Number of growing seasons per year:

Comments:

Main crops (cash and food crops): hop

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Other

Specify:

Conventional agriculture.

3.4 Water supply

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

rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

management measures

M2: Change of management/ intensity level

Comments:

Organic hops plantation.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Cp: soil pollution

biological degradation

Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
Bl: loss of soil life

water degradation

Hq: decline of groundwater quality

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

prevent land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to 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).

Author:

Magdalena Frąc

Date:

30/06/2016

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

per Technology area

Indicate size and area unit:

1 ha

other/ national currency (specify):

PLN

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.28

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

50-100 PLN

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Building of terraces	Spring, Summer or Autumn
2.	Manure storage	Spring, Summer or Autumn

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, 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.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

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

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

500.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Energy, equipment and labour.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall

< 250 mm
251-500 mm
501-750 mm
751-1,000 mm
1,001-1,500 mm
1,501-2,000 mm
2,001-3,000 mm
3,001-4,000 mm
> 4,000 mm

Agro-climatic zone

sub-humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:

flat (0-2%)
gentle (3-5%)
moderate (6-10%)
rolling (11-15%)
hilly (16-30%)
steep (31-60%)
very steep (>60%)

Landforms:

plateau/plains
ridges
mountain slopes
hill slopes
footslopes
valley floors

Altitudinal zone:

0-100 m a.s.l.
101-500 m a.s.l.
501-1,000 m a.s.l.
1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
> 4,000 m a.s.l.

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:

very shallow (0-20 cm)
shallow (21-50 cm)
moderately deep (51-80 cm)
deep (81-120 cm)
very deep (> 120 cm)

Soil texture (topsoil):

medium (loamy, silty)

Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):

medium (loamy, silty)

Topsoil organic matter:

medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

Is flooding of the area occurring?

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:

high

Habitat diversity:

medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:

Sedentary

Market orientation of production system:

commercial/ market

Off-farm income:

> 50% of all income

Relative level of wealth:

average

Individuals or groups:

individual/ household

Level of mechanization:

mechanized/ motorized

Gender:

Age of land users:

youth

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

< 0.5 ha
0.5-1 ha
1-2 ha
2-5 ha
5-15 ha
15-50 ha
50-100 ha
100-500 ha
500-1,000 ha
1,000-10,000 ha
> 10,000 ha

Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?

medium-scale

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

family

Land use rights:

individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:

poor
moderate
good

education:

poor
moderate
good

technical assistance:

poor
moderate
good

employment (e.g. off-farm):

poor
moderate
good

markets:

poor
moderate
good

energy:

poor
moderate
good

roads and transport:

poor
moderate
good

drinking water and sanitation:

poor
moderate
good

financial services:

poor
moderate
good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

The farmer observed lower hops yield, however the quality is better.

crop quality

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

The organic farming technology increases crop quality by reduction of fertilizers and pesticides use.

risk of production failure

increased

decreased

Comments/ specify:

The organic farming technology decreases the risk of production failure due to greater yield quality and stability.

land management

hindered

simplified

Comments/ specify:

The organic farming technology simplifies land management by less intense machinery uses.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased

decreased

Comments/ specify:

The expenses on agricultural inputs in organic farming technology are reduced due to lower fuel costs.

workload

increased

decreased

Comments/ specify:

The workload in organic farming technology increases by higher number of agricultural practices.

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced

improved

Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology improves the food security by increased yield quality and stability.

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced

improved

Comments/ specify:

Land degradation knowledge is improved by the promotion of the organic farming technology.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quality

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

The water quality increases in organic farming technology due to lower uses of fertilizers and pesticides.

Soil

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

The organic farming technology increases soil soil organic matter content due to cover crops between rows and less mineralization of organic matter.

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

beneficial species

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

We observed greater quantity of earthworms under organic farming technology compared to the
conventional tilled soil.

pest/ disease control

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

The use of pesticides and herbicides is not allowed, therefore only plant extracts or bioproducts are used.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased

decreased

Comments/ specify:

The organic farming technology desreases emission of carbon and greenhouse gases
due to reduction of chemicals uses and reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gases realising by intensive agriculture.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

very positive

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 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?

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. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

field visits, field surveys

interviews with land users

compilation from reports and other existing documentation

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

30/06/2016

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