Chile (Chiloé): INIA promotes technical workshops to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in potato cultivation

With a strong turnout of farmers, technical advisors, and representatives from territorial programs across the archipelago, the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA), in collaboration with CABI and the CRODA Foundation, conducted a series of on-site technical workshops in Ancud, Dalcahue, Castro, and Puqueldón. These meetings were part of the international project “Reducing the Risks of Chemical Pesticides for Small Potato Farmers in Chile.”

During these sessions, participants explored research findings on the chemical and biological management of blight, learned about scientific advancements, learned about the implementation of field notebooks, and shared experiences related to the use of bio-inputs and bioprotection technologies. In addition, practical workshops were offered on calibrating backpack sprayers and the correct use of personal protective equipment.

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Gabriel Peña, a researcher and technology transfer specialist at INIA Butalcura, emphasized the importance of bringing this knowledge to farming communities. According to him, these activities promote informed decision-making and strengthen potato cultivation in Chiloé. During the workshops, concrete advances in the use of biological and chemical alternatives to control late blight were presented, also creating a space for technical dialogue and the exchange of opinions with producers.

For his part, Jean Franco Castro, curator of the Chilean Collection of Microbial Genetic Resources at INIA Quilamapu, emphasized the added value of the training sessions, which cover topics such as the use of bio-inputs and analyze data obtained through surveys conducted over the project’s two years. According to Castro, a key finding was that more than 50% of the farmers surveyed were unfamiliar with terms like "biopesticides" and the existing biological alternatives to chemical products. This data reveals a significant gap in information and technical training.

Castro emphasized the need to continue training farmers and technical teams on biopesticides, as an increasing supply of these products is expected in the future. It is crucial that producers are prepared to understand their use, handling, benefits, and differences compared to traditional chemicals.

The initiative received positive feedback from attendees. Miguel de la Torre, an agricultural technician with the PRODESAL program in Puqueldón, highlighted the opportunity as enriching for both technicians and farmers. He emphasized the importance of strengthening knowledge and moving towards more sustainable potato farming practices. He also acknowledged that these forums are key to exploring new varieties and techniques that contribute to reducing the indiscriminate use of chemical product.