ZERYA in collaboration with the Clube de Produtores de CONTINENTE, a leader in the Portuguese agri-food sector that is committed to agriculture without pesticide residues as a way of guaranteeing quality and food safety, is offering more than 60 producers of around 30 different crops two exclusive pesticide zero waste farming days.

Some fruit growers have been working with the ZERYA metodology since 2020, applying our recommendations and regulations. Field technicians, purchasing managers and even warehouse staff and supplierswill also participate in the training.

Healthy, profitable and sustainable products

Zero Waste agriculture is a way of producing quality and sustainable food, respecting the environment and the health of consumers. It is based on the use of agroecological techniques that prevent and control crop pests and diseases, minimising the application of chemicals. When chemicals are necessary, those that degrade quickly and leave no detectable residues in the food are chosen.

These trainings aim to enable participants to implement profitable and sustainable agronomic practices that improve the quality and productivity of their crops, as well as their competitiveness in the market.

Crops are cultivated in different areas and crops from Braga to the Algarve, adapted to the needs and characteristics of each case. For example, in the case of fruit trees, the process for achieving the goal of «Zero waste» is slower, as they require a longer conversion period to remove accumulated residues from the soil and trees. On the other hand, in horticultural crops with already ploughed fields, it is easier: for example, by implementing a decontamination, fallowing or crop rotation plan, with which the results are quickly more positive.

Zero waste training programme

The trainings address different aspects of pesticide residue-free agriculture, such as:

• The current regulations and the requirements to obtain ZERYA certification..
• The environmental, economic and social benefits of this form of production.
• Agroecology principles and techniques such as soil protection against erosion, efficient use of water, crop diversification, promotion of biodiversity or integrated pest management.
• Natural and biological products that can be used to prevent and treat pests and diseases, such as biostimulants, osmoregulators, plant extracts or beneficial micro-organisms.
• stuUniversity scientific studies that support the efficacy and safety of these products.
• The latest technologies and trends in the agri-food market, which is increasingly demanding pesticide residue-free food.
• Best practices and successful experiences of producers who have already adopted this model.

Organised by : Continente – MC – Producers Club

In collaboration with : LIFE AgroPaper Biostasia Bio2Coat Natural Preservation Technology Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS – CSIC) CE3C – Canadian Environmental Engineering Executives Conference Digihorti DOMCA EDAF LDA Koppert Portugal SAN Agrow SEIPASA Universidade de Lisboa

If you are interested in participating in our trainings on pesticide residue-free agriculture or want to know more, please contact us at the following e-mail address consultas@zerya.org or +34 960 098 792