Hosting such an intercultural Plant Protection Congress in Germny, it seems to be obligatory to focus on international relations concerning crop protection topics. The main aim of crop protection is improving the quality of life either in a direct or indirect way. We learned from today’s keynote speaker Stephan Krall, German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), that about 795 million people are suffering from chronic hunger and that two billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiencies. As an example, Stephan Krall illustrated that his institution GIZ collaborates with some West African countries to promote cocoa production. This region is the most important cocoa source worldwide and ensures a stable income for farmers. When GIZ noticed, that cocoa growing farmers also grow other crops such as maize and cassava for their own food supply, the corporation started to support and train farmers also in managing these crops. Thereby, the popularity of chocolate and other cocoa products indirectly affected agricultural development positively in that area. However, this does not always seem to be the case. Mr. Kambou from Burkina Faso mentioned that in his country agriculture itself needs to be protected since most people now are trying to search for gold to gain quick money which leads to a neglect of food production and finally to hunger in this region of Africa.
As the GIZ work seemed to be very exciting, we wanted to know more about it, as well as how we as young scientists could support improving quality of life throughout the world via crop protection. Therefore, we interviewed Dr. Krall, Dr. Jörg Lohmann and Tanja Thekla Pickardt (GIZ).
Junior Scientists: What is the role of science in developing extension programs?
Pickardt & Lohmann: First of all the role of science is to work with private extension services to coach trainers to work in foreign countries and give advices to farmers. The role of science in developing extension programs has recently changed from research for development into research in development. Linear science forgetting the practical work causes more damage than help. Finally, extension services influence the research to be more practical.
Junior Scientists: Mr. Ketelaar (Bangkok) mentioned in his abstract that the most hazardous pesticides must be eliminated and that there is a need for environment-friendly alternatives. In addition, organic food seems to be trendy in Germany. Is this opinion also representing the view of Asian population? Do you think that there is a general tendency in the world toward organic food?
Pickardt & Lohmann: So if you think about the growing world population, especially in developing countries, organic production is not necessarily an alternative for everything. It depends very much on the place where you want to produce. For us organic agriculture is good and it is supported, but it is not the only way to produce. We have to value organic agriculture in a broader way. If mineral fertilizers and pesticides are used in an appropriate way, food can be produced in a sustainable manner. We have to find something between providing the population with food on the one hand and conserving the environment on the other hand.
Junior Scientists: Do you think that the misconception towards crop protection in Germany is also wide spread in developing countries?
Krall: There is a broad spectrum of developing countries between one has to differentiate. In some African countries for instance, there is a lack of plant protection and fertilization. In such countries it is not always wise to supply farmers with pesticides as they are not trained to use them and thereby their availability could be dangerous for people’s health. In various other countries, pesticides are applied but they are not used in the prescribed manner. In such countries, training people seems to be the better option than switching to organic farming.
Junior Scientists: There are a lot of conference contributions from developing countries that deal with biocontrol agents. Do you have any suggestions concerning this strong demand? Did it increase in the last few years?
Pickardt & Lohmann: We can verify that there are many contributions dealing with biocontrol agents. Consuming products contaminated with aflatoxin for instance, may lead to various diseases such as liver cancer. Biocontrol agents can be one approach to fight aflatoxin producing pests. (Workshop Tuesday evening, “Aflatoxin Prevention in Sub Saharan Africa- Challenges and Practical Experience”). Organic farming is not always cheaper, not always easier, but can be an opportunity.
Junior Scientists: Transfer of knowledge between research and practical farm work seems to be problematic in many regions. What do you suggest to improve this problem?
Pickardt & Lohmann: First of all, research findings often end with conclusions directed to other scientists lacking the information relevant for practical application (farmers). All agricultural actors are playing a role and therefore all players in innovation systems need to be considered. A good example for supporting knowledge transfer is the school for innovation, which improves the daily living conditions in Africa. For developed countries the value of an innovation might not be significant, but it could be a solution for developing regions. Keep this in mind!
Junior Scientists: How can young scientists contribute to a better understanding of crop protection in society and support solving actual and practical issues?
Krall, Pickardt & Lohmann: The point is to be open-minded and to get your own impressions. Furthermore, practical development cooperations and NGO’s are important to break narrow-minded opinions. If this is successful then we can get rid of the DDT burden for example. It is your turn (i.e. Junior Scientists) to come up with new opportunities, your time to change things, your time to be open minded. Talking to people from the society to clarify some misunderstandings is very important!
Junior Scientists: If we, as young scientists, want to support international interaction, how could we accomplish this? What would be the first step?
Krall, Pickardt & Lohmann: Work for GIZ ;). Our suggestions would be to join international student organisations, keeping contact to international partner universities and participating in big international conferences like the IPPC or the Tropentag to make your own experience!
Coming back to that chocolate bar story: The Mars company is very interested in producing a nice and tasty chocolate bar. For achieving this, they support ongoing research on rice - so in a wider understanding: A chocolate bar did indirectly improve agricultural development. By the way, the GIZ offers opportunities for internships and theses for young scientists!
Junior Scientists: The next IPPC in 2019 will take place in Hyderabad, India, with the topic “Crop protection to outsmart climate change for food security and environmental conservation”. Since India started to tackle the problem by a national action plan on climate change (NAPCC). Is this a good opportunity for the country to get support and more attention?
Pickardt & Lohmann: What we have to keep in mind is that on one hand it is very expensive for a country to hold an international conference like this, but on the other hand it is a great chance and opportunity for India to get together all the different and international researchers. India can present its problems and approaches, which might be a good opportunity to get support and attention. In addition, India is one of the hotspots affected by climate change. Finally, maybe the approaches that India itself has developed might surprise the most.
Junior Scientists: Thank you for your time and the nice exchange!
Note: The interview does not reflect the interviewers answers word-for-word, but it rather summarizes their main statements.
Later that day a Scientific Networking Meeting took place, in which different representatives of scientific associations took part. We were curious what participants would answer to the question in which way the IPPC can contribute to improve food security. Kindly, Annemarie Breukers from the University of Wageningen (NL) expressed her personal opinion that the most important thing about such a congress is to bring all the people together and to get the opportunity to build up personal contacts. The theoretical scientific information can always be gathered at home behind the desk she said, but it is about exchanging personal experiences and thereby to fill the gap between theory and practice.
Blog was written by Katrin and Rania (Student Reporters DPG). Fotos were taken by Philip Jarkusch (Conventus) and Sebastian Streit (Student Reporter DPG).
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