About the project
The “Optimised Pest Integrated Management to precisely detect and control plant diseases in perennial crops and open-field vegetables” (OPTIMA) is a Horizon 2020 project. This project aims at developing an environmentally Integrated Pest Management approach for vineyards, apple orchards and carrots.
Objectives of the project?
OPTIMA project has 5 main objectives:
- The aim is to optimise plant disease prediction models and develop advanced early disease detection methods;
- Evaluate and screen biopesticides and pesticides and assess plant and pathogen resistance mechanisms for successful disease control;
- Enhance and develop innovative precision spraying technologies;
- Test and evaluate the proposed new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) elements under field conditions.
- Assess health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts and risks of the proposed IPM system.
Why is CropLife Europe part of the project?
Our industry believes strongly in Integrated Pest Management. IPM emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms. IPM is a flexible approach which makes the best use of all available technologies to manage pest problems effectively and safely. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) means the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment.