Environment Friendly Agricultural Practices (Murvanıdze/Urushadze)

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Agricultural Research, Extension and Training Project

ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM

Environment Friendly Agricultural Practices

By Mr. Ioseb Murvanıdze.Technıcal manager Prof. Teo Urushadze. E&M specıalıst.PCC

Ankara 2007

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Decrease the nutrient pollution to the rivers of West Georgia draining into the Black Sea through introducing and promoting environment friendly agricultural practices

EPC Program One of the main Objective

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EPC Program Challenges

Pollution of Black Sea basin rivers by eroded wash-off;

Lack of modern and environmentally sustainable agrarian practices and proper material-technical resources;

not-yet-established market-based management approaches.

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Achieve gradual reduction of pollution of ground and surface waters in the Black Sea basin;

Demonstrate efficiency of organic methods of farming;

Arrest erosion process in the selected plots by introducing erosion control practices;

Cut pollutant contents in crops and soil;

Increase productivity of the degraded and non-fertile agricultural lands.

Expected Outcomes

EPC Program

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In 2002-2005 the environment-friendly technologies were extended to 340 places of 129 villages of the Black Sea coastal region; totally – 571 ha. area of land covered

EPC Program

Environment-Friendly Agricultural Technologies

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EPC Program

Soil Erosion – The Main Source of Water Pollution

Application of integrated practices against soil erosion - Practices Introduced: Terracing; Contour cultivation; Buffer stripes; Subsequent planting of annual and perennial crops; Arrangement of water-diversion canals; Lay-out and holing; Construction of agro – terraces, etc.

Implementation area – 108 farms of 52 villages; total area – 68ha

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EPC Program Terracing

Practices Introduced: Step1. Construction of stepped terraces, water diversion canals, catchment

canals, application of natural ameliorants (dolomite) and manure, arrangement of sideration.

Step 2. Planting of perennial crops (citruses). Results: - Minimizing of Erosion, and reduction of water pollution consequently. - Increase productivity of Soil; - Prospective increase of productivity of citruses; - Long-term aspect – improved social economic condition of farmer. - Dissemination among the neighbors.

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EPC Program Buffer stripes

Practices introduced: Step1. arrangement of perennial grass buffer stripes, construction of water

diversion and catchment canals, contour cultivation, application of manure,

Step 2. planting of potato, application of bio-methods of plant protection (bio-preparations against pests control)

Results: - Minimizing of erosion and reduction of water pollution consequently; - Increase productivity of Soil; - Increase of productivity of potato by 30%; - Long-term aspect – improved social economic condition of farmer; - Dissemination of practice among the neighbors.

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EPC Program

Outcomes

Integrated Practices Against Soil Erosion

Pollution of the adjacent rivers with suspended load particles (turbidity) and organic mixtures absorbed by them reduced;

An erosion indicator of agricultural soils reduced twice; Productivity of annual agricultural crops increased by 29%

on average (potato, soya); Expected of productivity of perenialls (vine, citruses, kiwi,

feijoa, hazelnut) increase.

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EPC Program

Lessons Learned

• Demo – effect of applied practices;

• Targeted and combined introduction of environmentally friendly technologies;

• Cooperation between farmers and scientists built;

• Knowledge gained through training, publications, etc.

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EPC Program

National Code of Good Agricultural Practices

One step forward to the Integration into EU

Objective Reduction of environmental pollution from agriculture sources; Reduction the negative influence of farming on the

environment; Promotion of environmentally friendly practices in Georgia.

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EPC Program

National Code of Good Agricultural Practices

Target audience

Farmers, large agricultural companies, agriculture service and extension employees etc.

Content Legal obligations, recommendations and practical advice to ensure

farm sustainability and preservation of the rural environment; All main sectors of agricultural activities that are critical in causing

water, air and soil pollution.

Participants

All parties involved in agriculture management, scientific research and economic activities (public employees, sector specialists and representative of NGOs)

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EPC Program

Thank You