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Limitation of methyl bromide use in Argentina

A project in favor of the environment.

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Argentina on the way to wheat quality classification

Farmers guide.

Buenos Aires fruit farmers directly export oranges to Poland

Results of the Fruit Reactivation Program.

Limitation of methyl bromide use in Argentina

In 2002 the Federal Secretary for Environment and Sustainable Development received a donation from the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund of U$S 6,771,390 dollars. The funds will be used by INTA for the implementation of projects aimed to the elimination of methyl bromide. This pesticide is widely used for the control of insects, fungus, weeds and nematodes in flower, strawberry and vegetable plots and tobacco seedbeds. During its application part of the chemical goes into the atmosphere and reduces its ozone concentration. Due to this negative effect, the use of methyl bromide will be limited, by international agreement, tending to its total elimination, excepting quarantine and pre-shipment uses.

Funds donated to Argentina are being used for financing the technological change in thousands of farms and for training farmers, rural workers and consultants.

As a result of INTA´s projects, in the Province of Misiones over 70% of the surface planted with tobacco has already adopted the use of hydroponics. Tucuman Province substituted 40% and the Province of Salta replaced 11% of the pesticide with different alternatives harmless to the ozone layer. In order to show the alternative methods performance and convenience over 300 demonstrating plots have been installed in horticultural areas of eleven provinces. Due to this replacement the use of methyl bromide has been reduced in 38% in a country basis.

For further information: Agr. Eng. Juan Carlos Zembo, Tierra Sana Project, INTA Gran Buenos Aires, 0054-2229- 491066 / 4911500, zembo@correo.inta.gov.ar, Agr. Eng. Alejandro Valeiro, PROZONO Project, INTA Famailla, Tucuman Province, 0054-3863- 461048 / 461547, valeiro@correo.inta.gov.ar

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Argentina, with a production of more than 14 million tons, is the third exporter of the world, and has competed in the wheat market with low prices, without considering quality and wasting part of the important achievements in genetic improvement.

In an international context in which exportation contracts are getting more specific and selective in terms of grain quality, the implementation of a wheat classification system according to varieties and protein contents, appear to be strategic for the country. This will improve Argentina´s international business reliability and credibility, and will increase farmers and exporters profitability.

With this objective Argentina´s Wheat Producers Association (AAPROTRIGO) and INTA Balcarce presented a guide on how to classify wheat production according to its quality. The guide defines four types: hard bread wheat (for bread), soft wheat (for cookies), Durum wheat (for noodles) and another purposes wheat. The guide also establishes and characterizes the following classes: Argentina´s Superior hard bread wheat (TDA1), Argentina´s Special hard bread wheat (TDA2) and Argentina´s Standard hard bread wheat (TDA3).

According to their industrial quality, different kinds of cultivars can also be found in the guide, classified in three groups which differ from each other in parameters such as force, equilibrium, water absorption and stability. Also, the guide presents the official standard for bread wheat commerce and some tips on how to apply all these concepts in a practical way, in order to help farmers in the wheat decision making.

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After two extremely difficult years which took the fruit sector of Northern Buenos Aires Province to a nearly terminal crisis, 70 farmers from Baradero, San Pedro and Ramallo Departments -associated in ten groups- directly exported 17,500 of 15 kg Navel oranges boxes to Poland.

The activity received support from the Fruit Reactivation Program, created to organize the sector for fruit exportation. These farmers received technical advise from INTA San Pedro, fruit cooperatives, Municipalities and private consultants. For this purpose the Program directed a 2,2 million pesos (around U$S 616.000 dollars) fund for innovation technology investment, training and grouping activities.

Through this Program farmers received enough information and experience to allow them to continue the activity in the future, aiming a production increase, not only in oranges but also in peaches.

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Production of ecological beef is a good alternative for La Rioja Province livestock ranches. This Province, located in Argentina`s Northwestern dry land, has a stock of 300.000 cattle heads, 90% of which are raised in the "Llanos de la Rioja", a semi-arid subtropical plains region. Livestock is run on natural pastures in extensive production systems and due to the dry weather conditions parasite infestation incidence is low, and then no chemical anti-parasites treatment is needed.

Taking advantage of these circumstances, in 1998 a group of ranchers began the production of organic beef; these ranchers are members of an INTA`s Program called "Cambio Rural" ("Rural Change"), which helps smallholders through grouping activities and technical advise. After a two years effort, the group achieved the requirements for the certification of organic beef. Today five ranches, occupying 60.000 acres, breed 1700 pregnant beef cows in ecologically sound production.

Also INTA's Experimental Station in General Villegas, Buenos Aires Province, is conducting research on organic cattle fattening with Aberdeen Angus and Creole (Criollo Argentino), and their crossbreeds. It seems also possible to run ecological fattening on irrigated pastures in La Rioja Province.

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Wheat. 2003 Update. INTA Anguil: 229 pp. Progress in research related to wheat production: weeds, pests, diseases, fertilizers, water, soils, classification and other aspects.

Pasture management. 2003. J. Carrillo. INTA Balcarce: 457 pp. All aspects to be considered while installing and managing cultivated pastures and forage reserves.

RIA. Vol. 32 No. 1. April 2003: 129 pp. INTA´s scientific journal of agriculture research.

Corn production improvement. N. 23. Crop 2002/2003. INTA Oliveros: 152 pp. Progress in research related to corn production: hybrids, popcorn, weeds, diseases, fertilizers, silos, precision agriculture and other aspects.

For further information: INTA Bookstore, 0054-11-4339-0602, libreria@correo.inta.gov.ar

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INTA Bariloche: international advisor in fiber animal production

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) requested INTA Bariloche three studies on protection of animal genetic resources in South America: sheep in Peru and llamas in Bolivia, raised by kollas and creole goats breed by mapuches aborigines in Argentina. In addition the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) also asked INTA Bariloche for cooperation in the study for the characterization of native breeds of sheep and goats in Uzbekistan, Kazajstan, Kyrgistan y Tayikistan.

For further information: Agr. Eng. Joaquin Mueller, INTA Bariloche, jmueller@bariloche.inta.gov.ar

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The information enclosed in this bulletin is originated in different INTA Units and prepared by Augusto Durlach, Javier Bellati, Marina Calles, Jorge Conti and Guillermo Torres. INTA Communications Department.

Chile 460 2nd floor, Buenos Aires City. Phone: 0054-11-43390600.

Contact us: 0800-222-4682, email: 0800@correo.inta.gov.ar

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