The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) shut down its activities in December 2020 at the end of its mandate. The administrative closure of the Centre was completed in November 2021.
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Pesticide alternatives

Production and value additions

Agroecology

Pilot farms in Mauritius are producing healthy vegetables by reducing the use of pesticides. The ultimate aim is to reduce and control the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in local crop production.

A new pilot scheme launched in Mauritius involves 10 pilot farms, each using ‘responsible’ production techniques. The ultimate aim is to reduce and control the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in local crop production. This new approach seeks to deliver healthier, more environmentally-friendly products that meet consumer demands, while ensuring that farmers earn a decent income.

The objective of the scheme, launched by the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, is to break farmers’ dependency on agro-chemicals at three different levels. Level 1 involves optimising the use of pesticides and achieving better outcomes by improving knowledge, dosing, application and use. Level 2 involves replacing pesticides with alternatives such as biocontrol products, and using insects as part of disease control efforts. Level 3 involves overhauling the cropping system and implementing new concepts such as agroecology, crop diversification, crop rotation, disease-resistant crop varieties and alternative techniques including trap crops.

Under this system, pesticides and fertilisers are used sparingly. The Chamber of Agriculture aims to reduce pesticide residues in soil and food products by around 75%.

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Kenyan smallholders adopt market-oriented production

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Groundnut production boosts profits for Zambian farmers

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CTA is a joint institution operating under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement between the ACP Group of States (Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific) and the EU Member States (European Union). CTA is funded by the European Union.

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