Sustainable Agriculture In Olive
05 February 2025, Belgium: Growing For The Future (G4TF) olive: Certis Belchim’s commitment to sustainable agriculture
Certis Belchim believes in innovative initiatives aimed at revolutionizing agriculture through nature-based solutions and advanced technology. In the face of current agricultural challenges, the company focuses on biological control methods to minimize the use of conventional phytosanitary products and their environmental impact. Consumer preferences for safe and organic food underscore the shift towards biocontrol methods in line with the Certis Belchim mission of a sustainable future.
Growing For The Future (G4TF) is Certis Belchim’s strategic project, committed to producers, sustainability and food safety.
In response to the new demands of the European Union to achieve a healthy food system for people and the planet, this strategic project (G4TF) was initiated in olive groves measuring five key indicators:
- effective control of pests and diseases,
- reduction in the number of active ingredients in conventional plant protection products,
- a harvest without residues,
- reduction of the environmental impact,
- similar costs to a conventional programme
- improved profitability.
Trials were conducted in the town of Guadajoz (Seville) over two years (2022 and 2023). The Certis Belchim (G4TF) programme was compared with a conventional programme in intensive olive groves of four-year-old Arbequina variety trees, with a planting framework of 4.3 x 1.5 (1,500 plants/ha).
In both programmes three applications were made during each campaign for the control of Prays oleae, Bactrocera oleae and Cycloconium oleaginum, also measuring the production and yield of the crop.
The G4TF programme included Trebon (Etofenprox 28.7% EC) for the control of olive moths, Mospilan® Max (Acetamiprid 20% SC) against moths and olive flies, Kdos® (Cupric Hydroxide 35% WG) for the control of repilo, plus nutrients based on biostimulants (Pushy®, Biosmart®, Moka®, Certamin®, Certamin® K; chelates, Cruzado® IDHA Zn/Mn/Fe; and N-Expert® macronutrients). This was compared to a conventional programme using different active substances for pest and disease control (Deltamethrin, L-Cyhalotrin, Kresoxim-methyl, copper oxychloride, Mancozeb, potassium oxide, amino acids). Both programmes showed high efficacy against pests, though in both years of the project (2022-2023) Kdos® achieved better control of olive tree repilo.
Results 2022
In 2022, both programmes showed very good efficacy against Prays oleae (Prays) and Bactrocera oleae.
However, control of Cycloconium oleaginum (repilo) was better from the G4TF programme with 0.1% of latent repilo in leaf compared to 8% in the conventional programme.
Regarding production and fat yield, the G4TF programme yielded 19.1% oil from a harvest of 10,214 kg/ha compared to 17.9% yield from 8,936 kg/ha under the conventional programme.
In terms of active ingredient residues, two were found in the conventional programme and none in the G4TF programme (where applications of Etofenprox and Acetamiprid were used for the control of Prays and olive flies).
The environmental impact (EIQ field – Cornell University (USA)) of the G4TF programme was 17% lower than that of the conventional programme in both the use of insecticides and fungicides.
The costs of the products used in the two programmes were similar (G4TF €332/ha compared to €326/ha for the conventional programme).
Based on production data, fat yield, product costs and an average olive price for 2022 of €3.5/kg, the G4TF programme produced a profit 23% higher than the conventional programme.
Results 2023
In 2023, both programmes showed very good efficacy against Prays oleae (Prays) and Bactrocera oleae (olive fly).
Efficacy against Cycloconium oleaginum (repilo) was again superior from the G4TF programme with 2.7% of latent repilo in leaf compared to 20.1% in the conventional programme, counted 46 days after the third application of the programme. (See graph)
In the G4TF programme plots 12,247 kg/ha were harvested, with a yield of 14.2% compared to 11,269 kg/ha and 12% yield in the conventional programme plots.
No residues were found in any of the programmes.
The environmental impact of the G4TF programme was lower than the conventional programme, showing a reduction of 43%. (See graph)
In this year the costs of the products used were somewhat higher in the G4TF programme at 289 €/ha compared to 97 €/ha in the conventional programme.
However, based on production data, fat yield, product costs and an average price in 2023 of €6/kg, the profit where the G4TF programme was used was 26% higher than the conventional programme.
Economic Survey 2022/2023
Profits in both years were higher using the G4TF programme and just considering the costs of the products, the benefits in the G4TF programme were €16,641 compared to €13,312 in the conventional programme. (See table)
Conclusions
Efficacy of both the G4TF and the conventional programmes was very good against Prays oleae (Prays) and Bactrocera oleae (olive fly).
The G4TF programme substantially improved control of Cycloconium oleaginum (repilo), showing very good efficacy compared to the conventional programme.
In one of the years, the number of conventional active ingredients and the number of residues were reduced with the G4TF programme.
The environmental impact in both years was lower in the G4TF plots than using the conventional programme.
In both years, higher production, fat yield and profits were obtained from the Certis Belchim’s G4TF programme.
Also Read: Budget 2025: A Boost for Farmers, but GST on Inputs Needs Revision – Dr. R.G. Agarwal
Please reach out at info@krishakjagat.org, nimishgangrade@krishakjagat.org if you would like to share your company story or advertise in the upcoming issue of Global Agriculture magazine.
(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)
(+80 Million Farming Audience Visits Krishak Jagat’s Hindi Website – Click Here for Website)