Isabel Gárriz, INTIA, Spain is telling the story of Noelia, about the evolution of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and the advisory service in Navarra, Spain Hello, I´m Noelia. When I started working at INTIA I realized that the use of Integrated Pest Management techniques in Navarra was based on the use of preventive measures, and on the Pest Monitoring and Alert System. And that INTIA’s technical advisers were key in the transfer of knowledge to farmers. Other Integrated Pest Management techniques, such as biological control and the use of pheromones, were used only in greenhouses and vineyards by organic farmers, and those who were most concerned about environmental and health problems. Problem (Tension) In recent years, with the appearance of the new European regulations, the increase in demand for products without residues, new projects, and the loss of conventional chemical phytosanitary products, have increased the need and interest of the farmers of Navarra to apply the GIP techniques in other crops. In addition, the advisory landscape is more diverse, since other companies have technical advisers who play an important role in this area of ​​innovation. Middle (Conflict) When I conducted the Agrilink project surveys, I saw that farmers engage with a wide range of sources of information and advice (public and private advisors, industries, cooperatives, the Internet, etc.). In addition, I was surprised that the opinion and experience of other farmers consider it crucial when deciding whether to implement an innovation or not. I was glad to know, despite some difficulties, very few farmers decide to abandon the innovation after implementation. Solution (Resolution) After the work done, I believe that it is essential to increase the knowledge and training of farmers and technicians, so that they can promote the use of these Integrated Pest Management techniques in Navarra. How? through continuous training, demonstrating the technical and economic viability of techniques in farmers’ plots, and exchanging experiences and good practices. I believe that agricultural demonstrations are a very useful and effective tool for the transfer of innovation. End (Learning, closure) As a conclusion, I believe that public advisory services such as the one I work in, should be provided with knowledge, tools and methodologies to transmit in an efficient and agile way the Integrated Pest Management techniques in Navarra The “living lab”, methodology, which I have worked with agrarian cooperatives in Navarra, has been a real discovery for me. Bringing together a group of farmers and advisers… to work together in the creation and validation of new tools or advisory services is very practical and useful for both decision-making. In addition, the role of the farmer is fundamental, and goes from being the user of the advisory service to actively participating in its design and validation. Taking into account that 60-70% of the consultations attended by INTIA’s technical advisers are related to the health of the crop: pests, diseases and weeds. The work that I have done in this project, to improve the advisory service in Integrated Pest Management at INTIA, has undoubtedly been a very important challenge for me.

This story is part of the AgriLink project results’ dissemination plan. https://www.agrilink2020.eu

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