In the past 30 years, multiple relevant technologies and decision support systems have been developed in the Netherlands for the benefit of sustainable crop protection. In China, there's an interest in these methods, in order to improve sustainability, yields and numbers, and to make it possible to adhere to international standards for GAP.
Overview of potato production in China (source: YAAS, 2015)
R&D programme
At the initiative of the Chinese and Dutch Agriculture ministries, a joint R&D programme has been developed, in which multiple Chinese and Dutch institutions and companies take part. This partnership is focused on at least the following five topics:
- Quality of seedlings, breeding, production and certification
- Good Agricultural Practices for potato cultivation, with an emphasis on controlling Phytophthora
- Mechanization, machines and harvest technique
- Storage and conservation
- Demonstration and transfer of knowledge.
Control of Phytophthora
In China, progress is made in the control of Phytophthora through the introduction of monitoring and of a nationally operating decision support system. However, tests showed that the system needs improving in order to generate more effective advice for growers. Growers also need to follow the advice given by the system, and have to be able to apply the appropriate technology and fungicides. Improved storage methods will also contribute to higher production quality and lower losses during storage.
Developing communication strategies
In this partnership project, a lot of emphasis has been on communicating the results. In general, more effort is needed to spread knowledge about Good Agricultural Practices within China. It would be wise to develop specific communication strategies per province or region, geared to the cultural and socio-economic circumstances there. Introducing new technologies, better varieties, sustainable cultivation methods and more effective dissemination of knowledge, will take the potato production in China to the next level.