AgriTech Seminar XXIII enlightens on sustainable pest management of fruit trees

The 23rd Agriculture Technology (AgriTech) Seminar Series was another success, attracting over 100 participants, consisting of academics, students and the public. Themed ‘Sustainable Pest Management of Fruit Trees’, the seminar was jointly organised by the Centre for Agriculture and Food Research (CAFR) and Faculty of Science (FSc) on 22 July 2023 at UTAR Kampar Campus. The seminar was sponsored by INO Nature Sdn Bhd, Advansia Sdn Bhd, Green World Genetics Sdn Bhd, and Gaharu Technologies Sdn Bhd.

Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman officiated the opening of the seminar. Also present were FSc Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng; Organising Chairperson Dr Clement Wong Kiing Fook; Department of Agricultural and Food Science Head Dr Ali Yassoralipour; esteemed speakers, namely Agriculture Officer from Plant Biosecurity Department of Agriculture Malaysia Chandra Kuman Thangaveloo, Techno Commercial Executive Advansia Sdn Bhd Ti Yu Hang, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategist of Agronomic Biological Systems Sdn Bhd and Greenheart Farms Sdn Bhd Shawn Wong, Organic R&D Manager of Kean Beng Lee Industries (M) Sdn Bhd (Baba) Hans Leong, and Tse-Xin Organic Certification Corporation Authorised Inspector of Kean Beng Lee Industries (M) Sdn Bhd (Baba) Lim Chuu Fong; staff and participants.

Dr Clement Wong extended his warm welcome and said, “Generally, the prospects of growing tropical fruits in Malaysia are bright because of the increase in demand and domestic fruit consumption. To date, pests infestation remained one of the major impediments that lead to yield loss. Heavy reliance on pesticides without following the recommended application dosage and frequency resulted in food safety, environmental, health and pest resistance problems. Alternatively, implementing sustainable pest management practices is the way out to ensure a stable and resilient production in the agro-food sector which is in line with our National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 (NAP2.0).”

He added, “Experienced industry speakers from the agro-food sector are invited to share with the participants about sustainable practices in managing pest infestations in orchards. In addition, a forum session is specially prepared for the participants to have an interactive session with the speakers on current topics of pest management. We hope that this seminar would bring some useful insights to the local growers, academicians, researchers, and students alike. As such, we sincerely hope that this seminar series can be a stepping stone to promote the adoption of sustainable pest management practices among fruit growers in Malaysia.”

In his opening address, Prof Faidz said, “In Malaysia, the agriculture sector is the backbone of the economy. As you know, Malaysia has a vibrant tropical climate, which is suitable for the growth of a variety of nutritious fruits, including durian, mangosteen and langsat. However, the decline in fruit production caused by pests remains one of the challenges in the fruit sector. To mitigate pest problems, various chemicals, such as insecticides, or even rodenticides, are used. Yet, how should farmers apply these pest control methods to increase production and ensure healthy fruits for consumers; and what are the criteria for farmers to consider when choosing a suitable pest control measure; these are questions that we look forward to being addressed by our invited speakers, consisting of industry players and researchers, who will discuss and share their knowledge and practices in the area of sustainable pest management with us.”

He also said, “Through this seminar, I hope participants will take this opportunity to network with a wide array of experienced speakers for potential collaborations to ensure a healthy agroecosystem to protect our environment and future generations. Sustainable development in the food industry is crucial to the country’s economy. I would also like to thank all the sponsors for supporting this seminar. Well done to the organising committee for another successful seminar.”

The first to enlighten the participants was Chandra Kumar on “Integrated pest management (IPM) for fruit crops”. He elucidated on IPM and highlighted that the pest control approach used must be profitable, compatible and environmentally friendly. He also listed some of the control methods commonly used, which are cultural practices, physical and mechanical methods, biological methods and chemical methods.

He emphasised that chemical methods are used as the last resort because they can cause more harm. Therefore, he advised participants to use specific pesticides or recommended pesticides for that specific plant; lower class of pesticides that is less poisonous, and not to mix more than two pesticides.

The second speaker Ti talked about “Sustainable crop production: Know-hows of pesticide-related knowledge”. He provided valuable insights into pesticide-related knowledge and its implications for modern agricultural practices. He also delved into important aspects such as understanding pesticide labels, the significance of spraying nozzles, the importance of calibration, the design of farm layouts, the classification of soft and hard pesticides and biopesticides altogether, and ultimately, pesticide resistance management.

His talk also focused on the potential benefits of incorporating this practical know-how while emphasising the consequences that may arise if the situation continues to escalate. Ultimately, the goal of the talk was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the seriousness of pesticide resistance and to advocate for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in agriculture. The promotion of the adoption of these practices by the speaker also aimed to mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide resistance and foster a more environmentally conscious approach to farming.

Shawn Wong’s talk on “Sustainable crop production: The key to success with biological control in capsicum, chili, tomato, cucumber and strawberry in Cameron Highlands” focused on the potential benefits and limitations of biological control to provide a comprehensive understanding of its role in promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in agriculture. He presented an overview of biological control methods in horticulture and their potential for enhancing production while reducing pesticide use.

The talk also emphasised the effectiveness of various biological control agents, such as predatory insects, parasitosis, entomopathogenic fungi and beneficial microorganisms in integrated pest management strategies. Participants also learnt about the challenges and opportunities encountered by growers during the adoption of these methods, which provided them with practical insights and guidance for successful implementation.

The fourth speaker Hans Leong spoke on “Integrated Pest & Fertility Management for Fruit Tree - Types of Organic Management compatible with Chemical Control”. He elucidated on practices to reduce the incidence of pesticide resistance to protect farmers’ health and conserve soil and farm ecology.

He explained the types of organic inputs and management methods that were compatible with biological control and Integrated Pest Management, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management to reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, while maintaining or even boosting the yield.

The final speaker, Lim, spoke on “The Basic Regulation of Organic – from the International Organic Standard”. Participants understood that organic certification not only increases consumer confidence and buying intentions, but also encourages more farmers to convert to organic production. Lim also elaborated on Earth Tag Organic Standard and its basic requirements.

According to her, with the implementation of the certification system, organic farmers not only have standards to follow to ensure that their methods of planting and processing crops comply with organic standards, but they can also increase the value of their agricultural products and gain a competitive advantage in the market, and strive for better prices.

Further into the seminar, an interactive forum saw participants and the five speakers engaging in discussions and sharing of knowledge. It also enabled participants to get some answers as the speakers addressed the issues raised and asked. The forum discussed “Sustainability of pest management methods in the smallholders’ perspective” and “Case studies/testimonials of successful pest management methods of fruit trees in Malaysia or neighbouring countries”.

The seminar ended with a closing remark by Dr Lim, who said, “The encouraging response from the public is one of our motivations to hold this event continuously. The theme of the seminar is “Sustainable pest management of fruit trees”, with the purpose of knowledge sharing and discussion among researchers, industries, farmers, and students on pest management strategies of fruit trees. As we are aware, the utilisation of pesticides has been a long-term issue as it brings negative impacts to the environment and human health. Therefore, proper and sustainable management with the aid of combination methods is mandatory.”