Evaluation and introduction of integrated arable farming in practice.

A four-year project to evaluate and introduce integrated arable farming systems (IFS) in practice is presented. The project comprises the testing of IFS prototypes that have been developed at experimental farms by a group of pilot farms and the introduction of IFS in the farming community, mainly by the establishment of a network of study groups. To support these main activities, training programmes and courses are organized for advisers, teachers and farmers. Preliminary results of the pilot farms show perspectives of IFS to considerably reduce pesticide and nutrient inputs under varying farm and management conditions. A broader adoption of IFS seems until now more hampered by social than technological causes, notably by the lack of motivation and cooperation of extensionists and farmers. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)