Services for implementation of integrated crop management
PRISME Consortium is a growers and consultants association that can develop and deliver Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technologies to improve crop productivity in the respect of Global GAP (Global Good Agricultural Practices) requirements.
What is Integrated Crop management (ICM)
ICM is a global management approach that takes in account the influences of all variables (soils, crops, weather, pests, market specifications) on soil and crop productivity.
For example, ICM will consider irrigation not only as a source of water for the plant, but also its influence on fertilizer availability and leaching, pest behaviour, soil conditions (compaction, erosion), produce quality at harvest, etc. An ICM based analysis on irrigation needs for a specific crop will influence the choice of water distribution system (sprinkler, drip, furrow), the amount of water applied at each irrigation, the period of the day the irrigation should be applied, the use of different types of mulch that could save water, the choice of sensors efficient to schedule irrigations, and the implementation of different types of windbreaks.
PRISME approach: identification of needs based on an ICM analysis and selection of appropriate technologies
PRISME Consortium approach is based on precise identification of specific needs and problems encountered by growers and organizations producing different crops, under various environments in different parts of the world. The specific needs are then prioritized depending on their influence on crop productivity; technologies are identified or developed to respond to these needs, to reduce and control identified problems, or to prevent problems that could be created by the chosen technologies.
PRISME Consortium has the expertise and the trained specialists that can identify, develop, adapt and implement on-farm technologies and trained personnel to answer specific needs:
- Soil management
- Crop fertilization
- Cultivars selection and evaluation
- Crop scheduling and implementation
- Crop maintenance
- Crop protection: diseases, insects and weeds control
- Quality control at harvest
- Post harvest conditioning and storage
- On-farm food safety and traceability programs