Improving the implementation of integrated crop management in Brassica vegetables through a decision support toolkit based on end-user needs in China and Australia

HORT/2002/016: Improving the implementation of integrated crop management in Brassica vegetables through a decision support toolkit based on end-user needs in China and Australia

China

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Australia

Ms Bronwyn Walsh
Phone: (07) 5466 2222
Fax: (07) 5462 3223
Email: Bronwyn.Walsh@dpi.qld.gov.au

• University of Queensland, Australia
• Zhejiang University, China
• Zhejiang Department of Agriculture, China

$398,771

01/07/2003 - 31/12/2005

01/01/2006 - 31/10/2006

Mr Les Baxter

In China, brassica vegetables account for about 50 per cent of total vegetable production and consumption. Tropical and sub-tropical brassicas are particularly susceptible to pests and diseases, many of which could be controlled through integrated crop management (ICM). But it is harder to get farmers to use ICM than chemical sprays. Compared to calendar-spraying with chemicals, ICM involves the farmer in more complex decision-making.

An added difficulty is accessing information on good ICM practices. In China there is a lack of experienced decision makers and decision support tools. And in both China and Australia information is not prepared in suitable formats that cross disciplines, relate to problem-solving or meet the actual rather than perceived needs of decision-makers.

Fortunately, good ICM practices have been developed (especially through ACIAR projects) and it is increasingly urgent to implement them - to deal with resistance of pests to chemicals, residues in produce, and the increased management costs and health problems for those using the sprays. This project sought to convince farmers of the merits of adopting the more sustainable practices of ICM, and using them well.

The objectives of the project were to:
identify the key constraints to ICM implementation amongst decision-makers, and clarify where information can address these constraints (in both China and Australia);
overcome adoption constraints by developing information tools such as diagnostic keys and 'best practice' management options - developed in both Mandarin and English;
field-test the prototype information tools;
make a detailed evaluation of the impact, i.e. the extent to which the tools improved practical implementation of ICM.

The project team identified key constraints to ICM implementation through a needs analysis with target audiences, then identified the tools required to meet these needs. The researchers developed information tools through cycles of product development and improvement - to develop a framework, produce keys, write and collate information and collect and collate images. This led to the development of a final toolkit and allowed a commercialisation strategy to be developed.

Prototypes were field-tested, using an iterative testing method that enabled further development or modification. Then a wider audience was sought for participative in-field testing of the toolkit's impact.

The key outputs of the project were toolkit prototypes in Mandarin and English, designed to meet the respective information needs of the Chinese and Australian brassica industry members in addressing integrated crop management constraints.

In China, the toolkit consists of CD based decision-support tools and training multimedia system plus a paper-based field guide to integrated management of vegetable brassicas. The CD is divided into seven subsystems - crop cultivation, fact sheets, pesticides, diagnosis and identification, pesticide application, glossary and other information. One thousand copies were published and distributed in Zhejiang Province.

The paper-based field guide offers concise descriptions and practical reference for identification of brassica pests, diseases and disorders, with 221 high-resolution photos to assist in field identification. Apart from offering background information and general management strategies for individual pests and diseases, the field guide presents management protocols for individual crops through a season, especially the strategic application of pesticides. One thousand copies of the field guide were distributed to farmers from the 10 major vegetable production areas in Zhejiang. In each locality, 60-70 farmers attended a half day training activity. A further 200 copies were sent to extension officers in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Chongqing, and to the National Extension and Service Centre in Beijing.

In Australia, the English toolkit prototype is presented on a CD which contains tools to correctly diagnose and evaluate problems in brassica vegetable crops. Other support material comprises 326 fact sheets, over 900 images and three games, together with links to State, National and International websites. An index, glossary and tutorial for using the diagnostic key maximises the users' experience of the toolkit. A strategy to develop the prototype for release to the Australian industry has also been produced as part of the project and will mean release of the Australian toolkit in June 2007. This will complement existing paper-based information tools in Australia.

Practical implications of the project were highlighted from the needs analyses. This demonstrated that information could help overcome some but not all the constraints to implementing integrated crop management practices, and that more than one format of information was required to meet all needs.