Malta efforts to guarantee healthy AGRICULTURAL products - Esfuerzos de Malta para garantizar productos AGRÍCOLAS saludables

Photo source: http://iip.gov.mt/

According to latest figures presented by the European Commission it was informed that only 6% of the agricultural products in Malta had high levels of pesticides. In 2014, the Maltese Authority tested samples of more than 170 food products. Only 10 were found to contain high levels of pesticides and immediately action was taken against those responsible for their production. There were cases where they intervened at a field filled with vines preventing it to be sold in the market, or greenhouses with tomatoes that were stopped its distribution in the market.
Source: Maria Muscat (http://www.tvm.com.mt)

Biological control of thrips in protected STRAWBERRY production - Control biológico de trips en la producción de FRUTILLA (FRESA) bajo cubierta

Predatory mite Neosiulus cucumeris feeding on a thrip (http://www.biologicalservices.com.au)

The thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is a prioritary problematic in protected production of strawberry. A cross border program involved partners in the north of France and in Belgian Flanders and was conducted between 2012 and 2014. The aim was to develop integrated biological control. The study of the thrips population dynamics and of the damaging effect found that the pest population was able to develop early and strongly, particularly for repeat flowering varieties. Then, alternative control strategies were evaluated, strategies that are based on mass trapping, prophylactic measures and release of the predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii. The results found that integrated biological control is an efficient and sustainable method, with possible increases in yields and a strongly decreased use of pesticides.
Source: Quennesson, S.; Dumortier, F.; Marez, T. de; Dahinger, V.; Petit, K.; Oste, S. 5th Conférence Internationale sur les Méthodes Alternatives de Protection des Plantes, 11-13 mars, 2015, Nouceau Sièle, Lille, France (http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20153416985.html).

"Monterey" STRAWBERRY cultivar performs well under walk-in tunnel in Colombia. La variedad de FRUTILLA (FRESA) "Monterey" se adapta bien al cultivo en macrotunel en Colombia

Photo source: http://www.larepublica.co

In Colombia, high-tunnel systems may be a viable alternative for increasing the yields of strawberry crops due to their ability to prevent fruit losses and plant damage caused during periods of high precipitation. This study aimed to compare the yield and its relationship with vegetative and reproductive components of Albion and Monterey strawberry cultivars, established in open-field and high-tunnel systems in Cajica (Colombia), at 2,562 m a.s.l. and 4°56´N, 74°00´W. ‘Monterey’, a cultivar with more vigor, presented a higher yield that ‘Albion’. The growth conditions in the high-tunnel system promotedrapid vegetative growth in the ‘Monterey’ plants, with an increase in yield and a decrease in losses. The ‘Albion’ cultivar plants in the high-tunnel system presented a decrease in fruit losses; however, these plants did not present differences in yield compared to plants in the open-filed system. Despite the benefits of a decrease in fruit losses due to rot seen in the high-tunnel system, this system had an increase in powdery mildew and calcium deficiency.
Source: Carlos Mario Grijalba, María Mercedes Pérez-Trujillo, Diana Ruiz and Ana María Ferrucho. 2015. Agronomía Colombiana 33:147-154.
http://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/agrocol

Dutch HORTICULTURE becoming climate-neutral - La HORTICULTURA holandesa aspira a reducir a cero su impacto en el cambio climático

In 2050 Dutch horticulture will be climate-neutral. Already by 2030 a big step will have been taken. The biggest challenge will be achieved through measures in the greenhouses: more economical production methods, energy-efficient greenhouses, heat recovery and delivery to the greenhouses of sustainable energy (electricity and heat). There will be flexible solutions by district, such as joining a heat-distribution grid, geothermal heat or flexible electricity used at times when there is low-cost solar or wind energy. A CHP plant will be switched on for power supply when electricity is expensive. A number of greenhouse growers will opt for cultivation of specialties that require only an electrical connection for heating. Because electricity in the coming years will become increasingly cleaner and without CO2 production, the glasshouse growers will thus contribute to a neutral climate. The study sketches the pictures of "flexibility" and "all-electric" in the future energy management of greenhouses.

The study "Vision horticulture 2030 climate and energy" has been conducted by CE Delft, commissioned by LTO Glaskracht Nederland and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and LTO Glaskracht Nederland have agreed to the Long-term Agreement Energy Greenhouse 2014-2020, to develop a vision for addressing the energy sustainability of the horticultural sector after 2020. In the context of the program Greenhouse as Energy Source, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and LTO Glaskracht Nederland have worked successfully for years on, and led research into, more efficient cultivation methods (The New Cultivation, greenhouses, better lighting, geothermal). As a result the Dutch horticulture industry is one of the most innovative sectors in the area of energy and has a strong lead internationally.

Acreage decrease The report is based on a significant decrease in the area:  20% to 2050 (7,500 ha). "The reason is that there is now a lot of acreage with outdated greenhouses and the assessment is that they will not all be replaced. More than half of the remaining area  (60%) will consist of the cultivation of commodities where a large degree of flexibility can be applied with regard to electricity, heat, production and CO2. The other 40% consists of the cultivation of specialties, products where all-electric greenhouses are dominant. 

CogenerationThe report also looks at the position of CHP. In the coming years, there are still many opportunities for the use of CHP. The opportunities for the sustainable Bio-CHP are, however, highly dependent on various developments. The availability and cost of suitable biomass is a very important one. But also developing a market model in which the flexibility available to the grower gets a value by which the cost of the durability can be covered is necessary.
The search for clusters of companies (and other sectors) can contribute to an opportunity for a richer rollout of sustainable heat and power.
Source: Karin Tazelaar (www.hortidaily.com). Full report @ http://www.ce.nl/publicatie/visie_2030_glastuinbouw_-_energie_en_klimaat/1671  

Pakistani VEGETABLE growers are learning protected farming - Productores de HORTALIZAS paquistaníes están aprendiendo la agricultura protegida

http://static.flickr.com/32/48142991_c59f21e151.jpg

The latest tunnel technology is being introduced among progressive growers of the Punjab to grow off-season vegetables as it is impossible to grow summer vegetables without tunnels during December and January. A spokesman of the agriculture department stated that summer vegetables like cucumber, tomato, sweet chilies, green chilies, pumpkin, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, vegetable marrow, red gourd, eggplant (brinjal), watermelon, musk melon could easily and successfully be grown in low, walk-in and high tunnels.

He said that the tunnel grown vegetables were covered by green fiber sheets to protect these vegetables from severe cold and frost during December and January. He recommended the vegetable growers to get proper training for tunnel farming and start nursery cultivation of tomato, sweet chilies, green chilies, and brinjal from mid September.

Sources: dailytimes.co.pk, www.hordaily.com

HORTICULTURE of the future with zero pesticides, zero food-miles, and zero soil consumption - HORTICULTURA del futuro con cero plaguicidas, cero huellas de alimentos y cero uso del suelo

In the future, how will salad be cultivated in a city without large areas of land being available? The various innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for food and fight against waste also includes the vertical farm, a greenhouse almost 5 meters high to test version 3.0 of the agriculture of the future with zero pesticides, zero food-miles, and zero soil consumption. Carried out by the Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Italy’s first vertical farm was inaugurated on Friday, 10 July. 

Plants (lettuce and basil) are grown on several layers in pressed peat cubes immersed in water continuously recycled with nutrient solutions (hydroponics). The structure is lighted using highly efficient LEDs that reproduce the photosynthesis cycle. ENEA states that production, “compared to traditional crops, is almost double, with salad greens, for example, increasing from 6 to 14 harvest cycles/year for each level, with a 95% savings of water (just 2 liters/kg of lettuce as compared to 40-45 liters/kg in a “traditional” field).” The Vertical Farm, Agency points out, “is a symbol of the future of agricultural technologies, on which the agency’s nine existing centers in Italy are working. 

Products, services, and processes designed for companies in the sector have been collected in an illustrated volume on technological innovation – a sort of online “catalog” at www.ENEA.it, which contains over 500 entries on various sectors.” A vertical farm does not produce any waste as all the products used in growing the plants are continuously recycled within the farm. There are not even any irritating noises, except for the slight hum of the fully recycled air conditioning inside.

The agricultural innovations include biological insecticides, sensors to detect food product adulteration, processes to recover useful substances from wastewater, food traceability technologies, the development of precision agriculture, also with drones and satellites, for less water-intensive cultivation using innovative climate models. ENEA also introduced a campaign against food waste whose first initiatives include an agreement with Caritas Ambrosiana and Coop Italia for the use of the vertical farm products in the new Milanese refectory and the launch of the “Smart Fork” project to raise awareness among primary school children on the link between food, the environment and energy. 

Source: http://www.georgofili.world

Growing VEGETABLES without entering the greenhouse - Cultivar HORTALIZAS sin entrar al invernadero

The root scanner give a clear view of root health.

The second year of the Dutch experiment Growing Digitally is halfway through. Wim van der Ende (cultivation adviser at DLV GreenQ) is controlling a crop in an area of about 150m2 entirely from a distance from an office. He has not yet been in the glasshouse and relies entirely on the details that he has from measurements and data in order to control the crop.

Up to now, this control from a distance is going according to plan. They are growing with the variety DR1398TH from De Ruiter Seeds. In a different area of the Improvement Centre, they are also growing this variety as a reference crop. This crop is not being controlled from a distance, but is being monitored by the cultivation adviser in the glasshouse.

The information that is necessary to control a glasshouse from a distance consists of strategic information and monitoring information. For this practical research, we are using the following techniques, sensors and devices:

Strategic information: 

•    Details climate computer
•    Crop registration
•    Images
•    Weight measurements
•    Plant temperature camera

Monitoring information:
•    Paskal weighing system
•    Wireless Value sensors
•    Root scanner

A good example of the monitoring information is that in this research, we are using a root scanner. This has been part of the research since the beginning of this year and aims to show the root quality. With this, we can establish root health with the help of a few roots and the colour of the roots, and detect possible problems on time and take action. According to Van der Ende, the crop is looking good and is ready for the summer. Source: http://www.hortidaily.com

Good news for growing BERRIES in arid and urban regions - Buenas noticias para cultivar FRUTOS ROJOS en regiones áridas y urbanas

Photo from www.gerontogeriatria.org

Soilless (hydroponic) vegetables and fruits grown in greenhouses are gaining popularity and potentially represent a compliment toward sustainable food sources. Only a few studies have looked

at the nutrient quality of strawberries and raspberries grown in soilless systems. Dry weights, content of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, total polyphenolic compounds, glucose, fructose, and soluble solids (BRIX) of strawberries and raspberries grown in soilless systems were compared to their counterpart grown in soil. There was no change in dry weights but BRIX values (28% - 31%), glucose (158% - 175%), and fructose (75% - 102%) content for strawberries and raspberries respectively were significantly higher for the soil grown berries compared to soilless grown berries. Contents of ascorbic acid, tocopherol and total polyphenolic compounds were significantly higher in soilless grown strawberries compared to soil grown strawberries by 74%, 53%, and 22% respectively, and contents of ascorbic acid and total polyphenolic compounds were significantly higher in soil grown raspberries by 83% and 67% respectively compared to soilless grown raspberries. Soilless grown produce warrants future research to strive toward the potential to provide nutrient dense crops and opportunities toward optimized sustainable production.

Read more at http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=57359#.VY6rQPl_Oko 

Progresa la construcción de un inmenso complejo de INVERNADEROS en el hostil clima de Kazajstán - Progresses to build a huge complex of GREENHOUSES in the hostile climate of Kazakhstan

A primera vista, la ciudad de Pavlodar en los confines del norte de Kazajstán difícilmente parece un lugar que se asociaría con la producción de tomate. Los largos y fríos inviernos se caracterizan por fuertes nevadas, con temperaturas bajo cero y fuertes vientos penetrantes. Abordando el reto está la especialista holandesa en invernaderos Dalsem, que está a medio camino en la construcción de un set de invernaderos gigantes para contribuir a la autosuficiencia de Kazajstán. 

Soportar estas severas condiciones climáticas significa que el proyecto de invernaderos Pavlodr debe utilizar el tipo correcto de equipos y tecnología para crear condiciones de crecimiento óptimas para la producción de tomate. Incluso en climas extremos, se prevé que el complejo de 3,4 ha produzca 1.600 t de tomate al año, junto con una variedad de otros vegetales. “Es una de las regiones más frías en esa parte del mundo con inviernos duros y temperaturas extremadamente frías, pero nuestro objetivo es transformar este complejo en un lugar para la producción en masa de tomate“, dijo Broeren. “Dalsem se especializa en el desafío de construir invernaderos modernos, con calefacción en los países extranjeros en los que tenemos que considerar las condiciones climáticas locales y esto es exactamente lo que estamos haciendo en Kazajstán”, comentó. El desarrollo está a medio camino de construcción y se espera comenzar a plantar en el otoño.

Broeren dijo que una vez terminado, el complejo generará rendimientos máximos mediante el control del clima y el riego de las plantas a través de calefacción técnica, refrigeración, filtración, sombreado y los sistemas eléctricos. Este sistema informático es parte esencial del proyecto, ya que controlará la gestión diaria del invernadero una vez que se termine la construcción y comience la producción, monitoreando todo 24/7, los 365 días del año. También habrá un agrónomo dedicado a organizar la producción y llevar la última tecnología hortícola a otros especialistas de Pavlodar trabajando en el proyecto.

La apuesta por una mayor autosuficiencia

Recientemente, el presidente reelecto de Kazajstán, Nursultan Nazarbayev, ha estado pidiendo una mayor sostenibilidad en los sectores de alimentos, así como potenciar en general la industria agrícola del país dado que grandes cantidades de tierra cultivable están poco desarrolladas, mientras que los recursos y la fuerza de trabajo permanecen sin explotar. En un reciente discurso, en el que destacó las reformas y su “Plan de la Nación”, Nazarbayev citó la importancia de atraer inversores para desarrollar la industria agrícola y su potencial para contribuir a la economía general del país. “Kazajstán es el noveno país más grande del mundo, con una gran cantidad de productos importados que han venido de diferentes países en los últimos años y esto es algo que el país quiere cambiar”, añadió Broeren. “El gobierno quiere trabajar hacia la autosuficiencia y lograr una mayor producción, así que están promoviendo esto a través de todo tipo de esquemas, financiación nacional y tratando de conseguir más financiamiento para este tipo de proyectos agrícolas”, indicó.

La calefacción a carbón, donde la quema de polvo de carbón a alta presión minimiza las partículas de hollín y produce un rendimiento de combustión superior, se utiliza debido a la falta de gas local disponible. Y esta falta de gas significa que los proyectos hacen uso de una caldera de LPG cuya producción de dióxido de carbono con calor residual será re-utilizada en el invernadero.

Fuente: www.portalfruticola.com

Grants for Israeli growers who replace PEPPER by other VEGETABLE crops -Subsidios para productores israelíes que sustituyan el PIMIENTO por otros cultivos hortícolas

Following the crisis of agricultural exports to Western Europe and Russia, which are the main target markets for fresh produce exports from Israel, the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance have designed a program to help pepper farmers overcome the crisis.

Photo source: http://www.haaretz.com

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance, together with the Israeli Farmer’s Federation, have reached a settlement concerning a new aid program, at the amount of 100 million NIS, for investments of pepper exporters from the Arava (south Israel). As part of the new program, farmers who convert their pepper growing areas to other crops will receive grants from the state at a sum of 70%, in an attempt to diversify the risk of farmers in peripheral areas and to maintain the existence and growth of agricultural communities.

Peppers have been the most significant export crop in Israeli agriculture in the last several years, with most of the growing areas located in the Arava, an area that relies on this crop as its main source of employment. A team led by  the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, And the Deputy Budget Director, together with the Israeli Farmer’s Federation, drafted an “aid package” intended for the fresh pepper exporters, which also provides a comprehensive focused solution for the Arava área.

As part of the program, whose budget stands at a total of 100 million NIS, farmers will be able to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture for receiving state issued grants, at a total amount of 70% of the amount invested, and for the first time will also be able to receive a down payment of 20% of the invested amount upon submitting the certificates required from farmers whose main crop is pepper, in order to convert their growing areas from pepper to other crops.

At the same time, a model for providing farmers whose crops are intended for export with long term loans from banks based on a state guarantee is also being examined currently. In addition, a new track for encouraging farmers to organize together for joint export will be published, together with strengthening the regional agricultural R&D in order to develop alternative crops to peppers.
Source: Ari Goren (www.freshplaza.com)

How many hectares of greenhouses are in the world? - Cuántas hectáreas de invernaderos hay en el mundo?

Although many countries regularly tabulate statistics for greenhouse vegetable production, most countries do not. Of the reporting countries, a few have yearly figures, such as Canada, Germany, Finland and The Netherlands. Other major producing countries, such as the United States, only report detailed statistics every 10 years. Furthermore, most countries do not separate greenhouse from field production figures.

As for the specific growers of greenhouse vegetables, the only available information is through web sites, advertising notices and a few research reports.

To further complicate the numbers, there is no common definition of a “greenhouse” for vegetable production. In the Netherlands, this is a “glass enclosed structure”, in Canada- “under glass, plastic or other protection”. Under the latest government definition in the United States, it is “any production under cover”. Even lath, shade cloth or temporary high tunnels come under this definition. 

For Example: A “greenhouse”, according to the Netherlands:  

And, a “greenhouse” according to the USA and Canada government statistics services:

Statistics

Using a definition of “greenhouse vegetables” to include permanent glass or plastic structures, and climate controls as necessary, the estimated total global area on January 1, 2015 was: 

 

414,127 hectares (1,023,330 acres)

 

This estimate is based on official government statistics, published research reports, and extensive internet research for other specific data. 

 

Growers 

Because of confidentiality requirements, there are no government statistics that include individual grower’s information. However, using specific internet search algorithms, many of the larger global greenhouse vegetable growers information is available and has been compiled. 

 

Known Growers: 1826 in 95 countries, greenhouse area: 15340 hectares 

 

This grower information is published, with contact information, and it is available. The largest group of these companies represents 15340 hectares (37910 acres) of greenhouse vegetable production area. 

 

Many of the other greenhouse vegetable growers are in countries where the government actually owns the land, internet web site access is virtually not available, or, they are small-scale producers growing for a local market. 

Source: Gary W. Hickmantion (www.cuestaroble.com), www.hortdaily.com

 

Rwanda: Retiree reaps big from GREENHOUSE (TOMATO) farming

Many people dread retirement. In fact, retirement is seen by some people as a dark shadow in their lives. However, most forget that they are still productive and can still carry out profitable businesses and activities that can benefit them, their families and the community generally.

That's why, when a person retires, they should not let all their years of hard work and experience go to waste. They should devote some time to community causes as well as engage in income-generating projects to lead decent lives.

Josephine Kayiganwa, a retiree and former Bralirwa employee, falls in the latter group. Kayiganwa, who retired about two years ago, says she couldn't just 'sit and relax' at home. "After receiving my retirement package in February 2013, I started a greenhouse farming enterprise, which specialises in tomato growing ," Kayiganwa says. "The project keeps me busy and brings in some good income to sustain me and the family."

http://www.hortidaily.com
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