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IPM: Advisory Group: Advancing IPM for Development
MIP-COSUDE2 - NICARAGUA
2008-2011
Yelitza Colmenárez and Solveig Danielsen
In Nicaragua and other Central American countries, the producers face many challenges
in taking markets opportunities. The lack of a basic agricultural infrastructure, the lack off
and difficulty in accessing to alternative inputs, little or not access to modern technologies,
little or not access to training and/or technical assistance are among the factors that inhibit
the majority of producers to participate in the markets.
Plant protection is at the present time necessary and relevant in Nicaragua due to the
increasing perception in the consumers on the importance of consuming safe, quality
products. The demands of the national and international markets for safe farming products
of high quality have forced the producers to be highly competitive (Julio Lopez, personal
communication).
Although there is a general awareness about the risk and impact that the irrational
application of pesticides causes, the problem is still exits. This occurs especially in areas
where the producers have a better access to conventional pesticides, more capital to
invest and engage in large scale production of crops that presents phytosanitary problems,
requiring the use of highly toxic conventional pesticides due to the lack of information
about alternative control products and/or its suppliers.1
MIP-COSUDE2 works within the framework of the Diagnostic and Plant Health
Management Network or in short Plant Health Network (Red de Diagnóstico y Manejo
Fitosanitario) of Nicaragua. The Network represents all the major players engaged in
Integrated Pest Management (education, extension, research and plant health regulation).
‘The National Initiative 2007-20092’ which is being implemented by the Plant Health
Network, constitutes a concerted, nation-wide effort to create a ‘plant health system’ based
on local plant clinics (Puesto para Plantas in Spanish) as providers of primary plant
healthcare, backed up by specialist services provided by the Plant Health Network
(secondary and tertiary plant healthcare).
1 Evaluación de las políticas de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural Sostenible en zonas de laderas: El caso de América Central. http://www.fao.org/sard/common/ecg/2373/es/PASOLACSummarySPFINAL.pdf 2 Iniciativa Nacional 2007-2009: “Apoyo al Sistema Nacional de Fitoprotección en Nicaragua a través del
Fortalecimiento de los Puestos para Plantas y la Consolidación de la Red de Diagnóstico y Manejo Fitosanitario”.
A framework initiative to develop a ‘National Plant Healthcare System’ by strengthening local plant clinics and their integration with
the Phytosanitary Network
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It was therefore an obvious choice to insert the MIP-COSUDE2 into the existing strategic
framework of the National Initiative, seeking maximum synergy and complementarity with
existing activities in the country. The project contributes to the implementation of a defined
strategy and adds new elements aiming to overcome some weaknesses of the system and
to increase its scope and impact.
The main partner of MIP-COSUDE2, PROMIPAC (Central America IPM Program) is an
SDC funded program of Zamorano, a leading agricultural university of Honduras. There is
a strong interest in developing joint activities to strengthen the plant health system of
Nicaragua, especially by improving the links between plant clinics and eco-friendly input
suppliers at community level. The Nicaraguan part of PROMIPAC and FUNICA provide
substantial co-financing to MIP-COSUDE2, as the project has a synergy and
complementariness with the Plant Health Network activities in the country. All other
partners contribute by covering own staff costs for the implementation of project activities.
Project plan
The purpose of the project is to improve the scope and quality of the plant health services
for farmers that entail to sustainable pest management and a reduction of the irrational use
of pesticides.
The planning and implementation group3 includes most members of the national
coordination committee of the Plant Health Network. The members assume the
responsibility to carry out defined actions with selected plant clinics. Four expected results
are defined for the project:
ER1. Strengthened five Plant Clinics in diagnosis and phytosanitary management
Responsible: Patricia Castillo-UNAN- León
ER2. IPM practices Disseminated through the Plant Clinics.
Responsible: Flavia Andino and Lilliam Lezama, UCATSE and Julio López, PROMIPAC
ER3. Strengthened the provision of alternative inputs at local level.
Responsible: Patricia Castillo, UNAN León, Julio López, PROMIPAC
ER4. Sustainability criteria established for Plant Clinics.
Responsible: Julio Centeno, FUNICA and Julio López, PROMIPAC
2 UNA (Universidad Nacional Agrícola), UNAN León (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
Nicaragua), UCATSE (Universidad Católica Agropecuaria del Trópico Seco), INTA (Instituto Nicaragüense de Tecnología Agropecuaria), PROMIPAC (Programa de Manejo Integrado de Plagas en América Central), FUNICA (Fundación para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Agropecuario y Forestal de Nicaragua)
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Summary of activities Year 1
ER1. STRENGTHENED FIVE PLANT CLINICS IN DIAGNOSIS AND PLANT HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Improving monitoring and quality control of plant clinics
Monitoring of the plant clinics has
always been a serious weakness of the
plant health system, partly because of
lack of awareness of its fundamental
importance for the consolidation of the
system, partly because of limited
knowledge and experience of how to
establish and operate a simple and
practical system.
Two workshops on ‘Monitoring quality
and progress of plant clinics’ were
carried out by CABI in November 2008
and March 2009 (see mission report 2
and 3). A total of 28 plant doctors and
Network members attended. The purpose of the
workshops was to establish and practice a simple
monitoring system for the plant clinics. A good
monitoring system is essential to document clinic
progress, assess the service quality, identify
weaknesses and difficulties and define actions for
continuous improvement.
This is the first time that monitoring and quality control
has been taught as a formal 3-day workshop, or
course. The course has been developed by the GPC over the past year, building on
experiences and lessons from Nicaragua, Bangladesh and Vietnam (Annex 1). Until now,
the monitoring of plant clinics in Nicaragua has been done in an ad hoc manner without
clear criteria and guidelines and although there is an electronic register of clinic queries, it
is not being used to its full potential to document clinic
activities and to monitor the quality of the diagnoses and
recommendations.
Eight quality criteria for plant clinics were defined during the
workshop (Box 1) and five simple monitoring methods were
listed (Box 2). Practical exercises on clinic register
management (Excel) were included as well as an in situ
monitoring visit to a plant clinic. The resulting monitoring
Quality Control workshop participants. The workshop
provided concepts and tools to do an efficient evaluation of
the performance of the PpPs. (Photo: Cooperativa Santiago)
BOX 1. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PLANT CLINICS
► Technical quality
► Timeliness and reliability
► Access to inputs
► Communication and attitude
► Feasibility
► Location, equipment, presentation
► Organisation
► Scale and scope
BOX 2. MONITORING METHODS FOR
PLANT CLINICS
► Monitoring visits
► Analyses of clinic registers
► Regular follow-up meetings
► Field visits
► Feedback from clients
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reports were subsequently scrutinised in plenum, revealing general weaknesses in
reporting and abilities to make critical analyses.
The course helped create awareness about the importance of carrying out the clinic
monitoring in a conscious and systematic way and ensuring that the information is used for
decision making on strategic and operational matters. A third monitoring workshop will be
implemented by the Plant Health Network in year 2 under the supervision of CABI. To
follow on from here, the Network will elaborate a monitoring plan defining frequency of the
application of each method,
responsible persons and how the
information will be used.
A total of 8 monitoring visits were
made over the year by the Plant
Health Network to clinics in the north
(Jalapa, San Juan, El Jícaro, Quilalí
and Murra) and western and south-
pacific region (El Sauce, Somotillo and
Ticuantepe) as well as 7 follow-up
visits to evaluate the organization and
operation of the clinics. However, the
new monitoring form and principles still
need to be applied in a more
systematic way.
Natural enemies identification workshop
CABI implemented a short workshop on natural enemies in November 2008 (See mission
report 2 and Annex 1), a theme of limited knowledge and experience in Nicaragua. Twenty
three plant doctors and Network members participated. The objectives of the workshop
were: 1) to show them how to identify the most common natural enemies, in their different
stages and 2) to help the extension officers to transfer this knowledge to the farmers in a
easy and visual way, specially the form of action of the natural enemies studied. Many
farmers do not know how to differentiate the pests from the natural enemies, and in many
cases they apply insecticides when they find the beneficial insects thinking that they could
be a potential threat. The identification of the natural enemies in their different stages and
separation from the pests led to avoid wrong application of pesticides.
A baseline questionnaire was carried out with workshop participants to evaluate the initial
knowledge about natural enemies (see mission report 2). A manual, which was elaborated
by CABI throughout 2008 (see mission report 2) and was previously validated by farmers,
was used at the workshop to help with the identification of natural enemies. This manual
was distributed to the plant doctors and extension officers who participated in the
Plant clinic monitoring. The workshop on ‘Monitoring quality
and progress of plant clinics’ includes a practical monitoring
exercise at a plant clinic in operation. . (Photo: Luis Medina)
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workshop and is therefore available for use within the plant clinics. The participants
mentioned that it was very useful for them to learn to classify natural enemies such as
predators or parasitoids and to see them in their different stages. One week after the
workshop, INTA Somotillo, put their new knowledge into practice. With the coordination of
Julio Gallo and the support of the Plant Health Network, especially Prof. Cony Narváez
from UNAN Leon, a workshop on identification and use of natural enemies was conducted
for 40 participants from the region, including farmers and members of their communities.
They used part of the material given to them during the workshop the previous week. In
addition to that, they made liberations of Trichogramma pretiosum and Chrysoperla
externa in the field. The producers showed great satisfaction by seeing the mode of action
of the natural enemies through the video and learning how to release them in the field.
They said that the farmers were skeptical to use natural enemies because they did not
think that a little wasp like Trichogramma can control the pest, but after the workshop they
were really excited and more open to use the biocontrol agents.
Four additional workshops have since been implemented using the tools provided at the
workshop. A total of 120 participants were involved in the activities, including farmers,
extension officers and students.
Identification of Natural Enemies workshop. The workshop provided tools for the identification of the
most common natural enemies in the region. After the workshop some of the participants repeated the
same activity with farmers. (Photos: Cony Narváez)
Positive aspects:
• The monitoring workshops were an important eye-opener for the participants who
learned how to be more critical, analytical and systematic when assessing the
performance of the plant clinics. The Network has committed itself to continue
developing the monitoring and quality control and improving the management and
use of the electronic clinic register (database).
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• The learning from the workshop on natural enemies has immediately been used to
implement new training activities for farmers, extension officers and students.
Difficulties:
• Less Network members than anticipated participated in the monitoring workshops
due to work load and general problems with inefficient work modes.
ER2. IPM PRACTICES DISSEMINATED THROUGH THE PLANT CLINICS
The implementation of public plant health campaign (jornadas de salud) (PPHC) is a new,
complementary function of plant clinics that helps to promote specific control options and
prevention practices for major plant health problems. A plant health campaign involves a
group of up to 10 persons (plant doctors and members of the Plant Health Network) who
travel to different farming communities and make two or three stops in order to transfer
knowledge on IPM practices for one particular pest known to be a problem in that area.
This massive dissemination activity enables many farmers to be reached in a short period
of time. The method is still under development and validation and different target groups
have been used for example, farmer associations, public areas and schools.
Three campaigns were implemented in 2008, two in El Jícaro on coffee nematodes (see
mission report 2) and one in Somotillo on tomato viruses and nutrient deficiencies (see
mission report 3). A simple baseline questionnaire was applied to as many people as
possible at the beginning of the campaign. This baseline data helps to 1) assess the
knowledge and current practices of farmers before the initiation of the campaigns; 2)
determine whether the extension message is designed correctly, and 3) gather information
about other problems concerning the farmers.
Baseline questionnaire. To evaluate the knowledge of
the farmers about the selected problem in their crops, a
baseline questionnaire is applied at the beginning of the
Public Plant Health Campaign. (Photo: Solveig Danielsen)
Public Plant Health Campaign. The farmers received an
explanation and recommendations for the specific problem.
(Photo: Solveig Danielsen).
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A total of approx. 80 persons participated in the two campaigns in El Jícaro and 61
baseline interviews were carried out. The interviews showed that many farmers do not
know the cause of the nematode problem and that they apply wrong control methods,
including pesticides. When the activity ended the farmers had a better knowledge of how
to prevent the problem and use the right control methods.
In Somotillo 90 farmers were present at the first campaign; the most of them were women
that belong to different farmers associations. The topics in this case were tomato viruses
and calcium deficiency. The control of whitefly was also included, because of its
importance as a vector of the viruses. A total of 66 baseline questionnaires were applied;
33 in each topic. In this case the baseline showed that many farmers knew the problem
but they did not know methods of prevention and they were applying wrong methods of
control. More details are presented in Mission Reports 2 and 3 (Annex 1).
Positive aspects:
• The method is still under development and validation; however it has been
received with a lot of enthusiasm by our national partners. The public plant health
campaigns fill a gap in the current extension and training activities offered by the
Plant Health Network and Plant Clinics. It is appealing and intuitive and many see it
as an attractive way of reaching many farmers in a short period of time with a
targeted message. The Network is looking for ways to support more campaigns
beyond the SDC project.
Difficulties:
• There is the risk that some people turn the Public Health Plant Campaign into a
seminar or a workshop forgetting that it is a mass extension method aiming at
reaching as many people as possible in a short period of time. It takes time for the
facilitators to become familiar with the new method and learn htrow to implement it
the right way.
• It requires an open attitude of the campaign implementers. They need to be
enthusiastic and open to talk with the farmers in a simple way. Some people have
personal problems to overcome this challenge.
ER3. STRENGTHENED THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE INPUTS AT LOCAL LEVEL
One of the major limitations for the use of biopesticides and alternative methods of control
is the restricted accessibility of the products for the farmers. To address this issue CABI is
contributing to the initiative that PROMIPAC has been implementing since 2005 by
supporting the establishment of three Plant Pharmacies to improve the access of inputs in
restricted areas. A plant pharmacy is operated by farmers and stocks alternative pest
control products and other crop inputs so that farmers have easy access to these supplies
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in their communities. Farmers who will run the pharmacy are trained in business and
pesticides management before it is established. Supplies for the pharmacies are initially
donated by CABI and PROMIPAC and thereafter, farmers run the pharmacy as a
business, buying the stock as required. During 2008 two areas were selected to establish
two Plant Pharmacies based on an evaluation of their suitability in terms of proximity to a
plant clinic and previous experiences with establishing such pharmacies. The areas
selected were Somotillo and San Juan del Rio Coco. Material and personnel is ready to
start with the activation of the Plant Pharmacies after the preparation workshop, which will
be implemented by PROMIPAC.
Positive aspects:
• The implementation of this activity had been well received by the farmers as it
assists with the availability of alternative products in restricted areas.
• The farmers who will manage the pharmacies have been trained by PROMIPAC in
the manipulation, dosage recommendation and marketing of those products.
Difficulties:
• The farmers need to be business oriented to make the pharmacy sustainable. The
basic training includes a module on business management; however, for some of
the farmers it is a major challenge to start thinking as a business person.
COORDINATION AND DOCUMENTATION
The documentation and communication of results and experiences is a constant and high
priority activity, involving the project responsible and other members of the Phytosanitary
Network involved in the project. This is essential to maximize the outputs of the project and
to help change the habit of ‘non communication’, which is very common in Nicaragua.
Periodic meetings between CABI and the project group have been held to present and
discuss the progress of the activities and CABI has provided comprehensive mission
reports after each trip. A quarterly electronic bulletin is under development to publish news
about project activities and other relevant issues related to the Plant Clinics and the
Phytosanitary Network. The bulletin will be send around circulated within the country to the
different stakeholders and institutions in general. The national supervisors will be the
responsible for the elaboration of the electronic bulletin, backed up by the CABI team.
Three field visits and revision meetings have been done to contribute with the elaboration
of the Tomato IPM Manual, which was initiated in the first phase.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
CABI participation in the International Congress of Integrated Pest Management - Honduras
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Zamorano and PROMIPAC were among the organizers of this event. CABI was invited to
present two papers where the Plant Health Network and the plant doctors were present as
well. The two presentations were:
1. Study of the natural enemy complex of the Cotton pests in different localities in Barbados
2. Efficiency of control of Spinosad, Acetamiprid and Abamectin agains Scirtothrips dorsalis
Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Barbados
This was a great opportunity to interact with the plant doctors and discuss alternative
methods of control and their efficiency.
CABI participation in First International Congress on Water Resources, Biodiversity and
Climate Change Risk Management - Nicaragua
Nicaraguan Universities with the collaboration of PROMIPAC and FUNICA organized the
congress event where CABI was invited to present a paper about the effect of pesticides
application in the Caribbean. The presentation was attended by a group of extension
officers, national and international researches, students and members of the Plant Health
Network. The discussions led to reflect about the impact of the pesticides application and
the importance of the introduction and promotion of less aggressive products and new
methods of control.
General assessment of Year 1
Positive aspects:
• The Plant Health Network has shown big interest in the implementation of the new
activities of MIP-COSUDE 2. The project has provided new energy and enthusiasm
to the National Initiative, especially to the Plant Health Network and Plant Clinics in
the western and south-pacific regions, which had been neglected for a long time.
• There is a good and strong relationship between the CABI team and project
partners based on mutual trust, respect and commitment to a common goal.
Difficulties:
• The performance of one of the national supervisor was inadequate. This has
caused a lot of delay with the realization of some activities as well as delivery of the
financial report.
• The system for dissemination of information, reports, bulletin etc. as well as
communication in general needs serious improvements.
• The work dynamics and inefficient organization and management of many
institutions represent a major challenge to the implementation of some project
activities.
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• The fluctuating exchange rates of USD and GBP have created difficulties for the
project planning and management.
Planned activities for year 2
ER1. Strengthened five Plant Clinics in diagnosis and phytosanitary management
� Implementation of one monitoring quality control workshop
� 3 Training courses for extension officers and plant doctors in IPM practices and
alternative methods of control
� Elaboration of a guide for monitoring visits
� Elaboration of a list of well established plant clinics
� 11 monitoring visits to the different plant clinics
� Elaboration of the national list of the plant doctors that need to be trained
� Training new Plant doctors – application of the 3 modules
� Improvement of the Plant Clinic National database
ER2. IPM practices Disseminated through the Plant Clinics
� Implementation of 17 Public Plant Health Campaign
� Elaboration of new material for dissemination
ER3. Strengthened the provision of alternative inputs at local level
� Establishment of 3 new Plant Pharmacies
� Implementation of 3 workshops for preparation of the responsible of the new Plant
Pharmacies
ER4. Sustainability criteria established for Plant Clinics
� Implementation of 1 workshop with the cooperatives and farmer associations
� Implementation of 1 course for the conformation of the cooperatives technical units
� Implementation of 1 workshop of politic / sustainability
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AAnnnneexx 11.. Publications and materials produced Year 1
CCAABBII MMIISSSSIIOONN RREEPPOORRTTSS
‘Bringing the
technology to the rural
sector´
First mission report
April 2008
17 pages
‘Public plant health
campaigns – more
advice for more
people´
Second mission report
October 2008
26 pages
‘Focus activities –
making it possible´
Third mission report
January- February 2009
19 pages
MMAATTEERRIIAALLSS UUSSEEDD IINN HHEEAALLTTHH CCAAMMPPAAIIGGNNSS
‘Coffee nematodes’
The message is
validated by the
farmers. The language
is really simple and easy
to understand it.
‘Get to know the
coffee nematodes’
A fact sheet showing
nematodes symptoms in
coffee with a simple and
clear explanation of the
problem and prevention
practices. This is used
as during the application
of the baseline
questionnaires to help
the identification of the
problem.
‘Tomato viruses’
Using a simple a
practical language this
fact sheet described the
problem of tomato
viruses in a practical
and understandable
way.
‘White fly’
Fact sheet with a
validated message
showing the symptoms
of white fly and
methods of prevention
and control.
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‘Get to know the
tomato viruses’
A simple way to show
the symptoms of the
tomato viruses to the
farmers.
‘Calcium deficiency in
tomato’
A fast sheet with a
practical and simple
message validated by
the farmers
‘Get to know the
calcium deficiency in
tomato’
A photo sheet showing
the symptoms of
calcium deficiency in a
simple and visual way.
EELLEECCTTRROONNIICC BBUULLLLEETTIINN
Quaterly Electronic
bulletin.
For dissemination of the
activities implemented
in the Project and the
Plant Health Network
CCOOUURRSSEE MMAATTEERRIIAALL AANNDD PPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIOONNSS
3-day course:
‘Monitoring quality
and progress of plant
clinics’
CD including power
point presentations,
exercises, photos and
videos.
1-day workshop:
‘Identification of
natural enemies’
CD including power
point presentations,
exercises and a manual.
‘Effects of
agrochemicals in the
agricultural sector of
the Caribbean’
Presentation by Yelitza
Colmenárez at Intl
Congress on Water
Resources, Biodiversity
and Climate Change Risk
Management, Estelí,
Nicaragua. July 2008.
‘Study of the natural
enemy complex of
cotton pests in
Barbados’
Presentation by Yelitza
Colmenárez at
International IPM
Congress, Tegucigalpa,
Honduras. Oct 2009.
‘Control efficiency of
Spinodad, Acetamiprid
and Abamectin
against Scirtothrips
dorsalis in Barbados’
Presentation by Yelitza
Colmenárez at
International IPM
Congress, Tegucigalpa,
Honduras. Oct 2009.
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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AAnnnneexx 11.. Additional pictures
PUBLIC PLANT HEALTH CAMPAIGNS
Public Plant Health Campaign. Prevention and good agricultural practices are
the main focus of the activity. A flyer with a simple message, easy to understand
is provided to the public. . (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
Visit to primary schools. During the first Public Plant Health Campaign,
primary schools were selected to disseminate information through the kids.
(Photo: Luis Medina)
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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Getting familiar. The farmers are provided with flyers with the description of
the problems and the prevention methods during the Public Plant Health
Campaign. (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
Farmers associations. The farmers associations have been used to the
dissemination of the good agricultural practices and methods of control during
the Public Plant Health Campaign. Somotillo. (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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Visual material. Good pictures of the problem and a simple message help the
farmers get the information in a better way. (Photo: Carlos Matute)
A baseline questionnaire is applied to all the participants of the Public Plant
Health Campaign. (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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Working in the communities. The communities involved with the selected crop
are visited and the information is disseminated. (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
NATURAL ENEMIES, ALTERNATIVE INPUTS
Biopesticides production. FUNICA has a programme called Technology
Market Development which supports small biopesticide businesses. (Photo:
Solveig Danielsen)
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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Biopesticides production. UNAN-Leon produces biopesticides and provides support to farmer associations
that wish to initiate a unit for local production of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma spp (left) and NPV
(centre). UNAN- Leon also mass produces the predator Chrysoperla externa (right) and the tiny parasitoid
Thrichogramma pretiosum . (Photo: Yelitza Colmenárez)
Field work. Looking for natural enemies of tomato pests. Yelitza
Colmenarez (CABI) and students of UNAN-Leon. (Photo: Luis Medina)
VARIOUS FIELD VISITS
Interaction with large farmers. Peanut, soybean and sugarcane are
some of the high value crops in the Occidental area. These crops
consume high levels of pesticide. (Photo: Luis Medina)
NICARAGUA – 1 YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
CABI ► SDC project Phase 2
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Farmer Field School. Visit to one of the Farmer Field School in
Cusmapa supported by PROMIPAC. (Photo: Solveig Danielsen)
Farmer Field School. Visit to one of the Farmer Field School in
Cusmapa supported by PROMIPAC. (Photo: Solveig Danielsen)