THE SINO - ITALIAN COOPERATION ACTIVITIES ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, CAPACITY BUILDING, RESEARCH, TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE SUSTAINABLE AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR

Transfer of Alternative Technologies to the use of Methyl Bromide and Capacity Building in the Soil Fumigation Sector

Methyl Bromide (MB) is an ozone depleting substance banned by the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, a toxic chemical largely used in China for pre-plant soil fumigation in the horticultural sector. The demonstration project “Transfer of Alternative Technologies to the use of Methyl Bromide and Capacity Building in the Soil Fumigation Sector” implemented under an agreement between SEPA and IMET has been recently concluded. The technical and economic feasibility of the most promising MB alternatives developed in Italy and considered suitable to the specific Chinese conditions has been tested on tomato and strawberry in Shandong and Hebei provinces. Field demonstration trials, implemented and coordinated by AGROINNOVA of the University of Torino in collaboration with the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the China Agricultural University (CAU), showed positive results. Soil solarisation, the use of grafting on resistant rootstocks and the application of less harmful chemicals at reduced dosages via drip irrigation (e.g. Metham Sodium, Chloropicrin) resulted of higher acceptance by local farmers because of the level of treatment effectiveness comparable to MB, the low cost of investment and the small changes required to fit within the traditional cultural practices. For these reasons, they were registered by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology as successful cases suitable to Chinese agriculture for the control of soilborne pathogens and as effective alternatives to the use of methyl bromide.

China MB National Phase Out Plan under the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol

The MB demonstration project represented a pilot phase towards a broader cooperation program between Italy and China for the total phase out of the use of MB in China. AGROINNOVA, CAAS, CAU, IMET and SEPA will keep cooperating for the implementation of the “China MB National Phase Out Plan”, in the framework of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) of the Montreal Protocol. The Plan, co-financed by the government of Italy with 4,5 million USD through its annual donation to the MLF, will start in 2007 under the supervision of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). As being done in Romania under a similar project, UNIDO and AGROINNOVA experts will collaborate with China in phasing out the use of MB for soil fumigation in the horticultural sector. First action will focus on the strawberry sector, where mature MB alternatives are already available (e.g. Metham sodium and chloropicrin applied by injection). On tomato and other vegetables the attention will be paid on the use of grafted plant on resistant rootstocks. The adoption of integrated pest management strategies considering also the use of biocontrol agents will be also evaluated. The final objective is to phase out 534 OPD tonnes by the year 20015 and to enable China’s compliance with Montreal Protocol MB control schedule.

Strengthening Technology and Capacity of Sustainable Agriculture in China

Inner Mongolia and Xinjang Autonomous Regions are particularly suffering an overexploitation of agricultural resources due to the overuse of chemicals (fertilisers and pesticides) and water, leading to serious problems of soil erosion and pollution. The demonstration project “Strengthening Technology and Capacity of Sustainable Agriculture in China”, implemented within the framework of a cooperation agreement between SEPA and IMET, tried to individuate technically and economically feasible solutions. Demonstration field trials and training activities, carried out in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia by AGROINNOVA and the Chinese Research Academy for Environmental Sciences in collaboration with the local Environmental Protection Bureau, aimed at demonstrating to local growers and technicians effectiveness of drip irrigation systems in reducing the usage of water for irrigation and in enabling distribution of fertilizers at reduced dosages on vegetable and fruit crops. The use of biodegradable mulching films in corn production for minimising the problem of white pollution (i.e. big amount of plastic residues in the soil after the cropping season) has been demonstrated as well. Project results showed a strong reduction of the use of water and fertilisers when applying by innovative technologies (5-6 times less than conventional practices), while maintaining the same level of yields and fruit quality. The use of biodegradable mulching films showed high effectiveness in reducing the impact of white pollution. Chinese experts consider the biodegradable mulching films a promising “green” technology for China, but further research and small scale field testing are needed for improving application methods and agronomic performance (e.g. elasticity, resistance to stretches and breaks, etc.).

Sustainable cropping system and technologies for the production of “green” agricultural products in Shanghai Chongming Island

In Chongming Island, the third biggest Island of China after Taiwan and Hainan at few kilometers from Shanghai, IMET and the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau are co-financing a project meant to convert the conventional local agriculture into organic farming. Project activities are coordinated and implemented by AGROINNOVA – University of Torino in collaboration with the Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences and the SIIC Dongtan Investment and Development Co. Ltd. In particular the project aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers (currently far over the national safety limit of 225Kg/Ha), to introduce the use of biocontrol products within integrated pest management strategies and promote the reuse of agricultural wastes for composting. Two-years field experimental trials on tomato, watermelon, pumpkin, horse bean and other horticultural crops will demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of a complex cropping systems integrating the use of tolerant and resistant varieties, grafted plants on resistant rootstocks, biodegradable mulching films, fertigation and environmental control systems, biocontrol products. Training activities to local growers and technicians and the development of technical manual will enable a proper application and management of the target techniques. Scientific, technical, economic and market aspects of organic farming will be introduced to local farmers and technicians during seminar and workshops with the objective of promoting a better understanding of the European regulatory framework, production, marketing and certification systems. Considering the future development plan of Chongming Island as the first Ecological Recreational Island of China, the organic production of high value crops (vegetable and fruits) is regarded as mean to link higher income and market opportunity to the protection of the local environment.

Modern techniques for the control of pests and diseases of horticultural crops in China

The successful collaboration between AGROINNOVA – University of Torino and CAU under the MB demonstration project “Transfer of Alternative Technologies to the use of Methyl Bromide and Capacity Building in the Soil Fumigation Sector” gave impulse to a stronger partnership and further research on available environmentally friendly technology for the reduction of the use of chemicals in agriculture. AGROINNOVA and CAU, in collaboration with Italian firms and research centres (i.e. Intrachem Bio Italia SpA, Nuovo Centro SEIA SpA, and the Regional Centre for Agricultural Experimentation and Extension of the Chamber of Commerce of Savona) followed up with the implementation of the project “Sustainable plant protection in respect of the environment: modern techniques for the control of plant pests and diseases of horticultural crops in China”. The specific aim is to make Chinese researchers more familiar with scientific aspects and application methods of biological control products and grafted plants on resistant rootstocks within integrated pest management strategies developed in Italy for the sustainable control of plant pests of diseases of horticultural crops. Activities, which foresee technology transfer, demonstration and research, training and study abroad, take place in Italy and China in form of field trials, stages, seminars and development of technical manuals. The project is co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Production Activities, the Italian Trade Commission and the Conference of the Dean of the Italian Universities (CRUI), intended to stimulate synergies between the academic and private sectors in the process of internationalisation of the Italian system.

Organic Farming: ethical, economical, scientific and technical aspect in a global perspective

The demand for organic food is rapidly increasing in China. The lack of modern technical and scientific know-how among agriculturalists, technicians and extension agents is perceived as one of the major barrier towards the promotion of organic farming. There is an urgent need to create new profiles of professionals, with updated skills capable of working locally to sustain in the long term the emerging and promising organic farming sector. In this regard, a big partnership of eight European and Chinese academic institutions is implementing the project “Organic Farming: ethical, economical, technical and scientific aspects in a global perspective” co-financed by the European Commission within the Asia Link Program. The project aims to implement educational activities based on the European advanced experience, and to develop human resources in the Chinese organic farming context. In collaboration with CAU, the Zhejiang University, the Northeast Agricultural University, the Qinghai College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and other three European agricultural universities (i.e. the University of Tuscia, Wageningen and Bonn), AGROINNOVA – University of Torino is coordinating the implementation of four kind of activities: training courses/seminars for professors and researchers; international PhD programme for postgraduate students; summer school for young students; development of an international curriculum on organic farming. The Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory and ECOCERT-China take part to the project as associates providing assistance and logistics, while enabling a broader diffusion of project outcomes throughout their networks of stakeholders.

Project for the promotion of joint research and experts’ mobility

The project implemented in the framework of the Sino-Italian Cooperation Program for Environmental Protection provided the occasion for the establishment of cross-sectoral partnerships between Chinese and Italian higher education institutes, private and public research and extension centres promoting inter alia joint research and experts mobility. The good results obtained by the Sino-Italian “agricultural” partnership generated a leverage effect when accessing other sources of funding for the consolidation of the existing research and educational activities on a long term perspective.

The Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology is supporting faculty staff and students exchange between AGROINNOVA and CAU for research on semi-commercial scale application of innovative techniques and technologies for organic agricultural waste recycling and composting. A project co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research will support bilateral research and PhD programmes on molecular diagnostic techniques for plant pathogens, prevention of food contamination by micotoxins, recycling of industrial organic wastes for compost production and the influence of climate change on the diffusion of plant diseases. Including all the ongoing projects on sustainable agriculture, during the biennium 2006 – 2007 around 60 among technicians, professors, students, and researchers will visit Italian universities and firms for study and research.