​2,4-D initiative trains more than 1400 farmers to use good agricultural practices

In the first half of 2016, the 2,4-D Initiative, a group formed by the companies Atanor, Dow AgroSciences and Nufarm to generate technical information on the correct and safe use of agricultural pesticides, carried out 14 training sessions for technicians and rural producers, which addressed the role of good agricultural practices in combating weeds, in addition to presenting technical aspects of 2,4-D, a herbicide that plays an important role in this scenario, due to the low probability of developing resistance to its mode of action. “2,4-D is recommended for invasive broadleaf plants, especially those that are difficult to control, such as Horseweed, Leiteiro, Picão-preto and Turnip green, which can represent great losses to the farmer, when not controlled correctly", explains Rubem Silvério , Professor at the State University of Maringá and partner of the 2,4-D Initiative.

The group also supported events on agricultural pesticide application technology, within the Paraná State Government's Plant Your Future Campaign, training more than 600 farmers. According to Nelson Harger, who provided the training and is coordinator of the Plant Your Future campaign in the area of ​​integrated pest and disease management and grain coordinator at Emater, the objective is to guarantee zero drift on properties in the region that are part of the campaign. “It is possible to carry out a quality application and have the model replicated throughout the State", he states. Another action was the participation of partner researchers from the 2,4-D Initiative in a round table at Show Safra BR 163, a fair of the agricultural sector, in Lucas do Rio Verde (MT), in which important issues about Integrated Weed Plant Management were discussed.

The 2,4-D Initiative also promoted meetings with communicators from Ivaiporã (PR), Ibirubá and Santa Cruz do Sul (RS) in celebration of Press Day, where they could receive information about good agricultural practices and discuss regional issues in the which refers to the control of resistant weeds and the correct use of agricultural pesticides to generate future guidelines. “Our objective is to maintain constant interaction between rural producers, opinion makers and academia. Therefore, in addition to face-to-face training, we offer on our website a direct communication channel with researchers to request tips and clarifications at all times", explains Ana Cristina Pinheiro, coordinator of the 2,4-D Initiative.

The actions mobilized more than 1,4 participants, who, in contact with partner researchers from the 2,4-D Initiative, were able to obtain knowledge that will contribute to increasing productivity and sustainability in crops. Rural producer Maria de Lurdes Vilela, who attended the event in Cândido Mota (SP), stated that the lecture was very didactic and important for answering questions. “2,4-D is a herbicide that brings very positive results in the control of weeds such as Horseweed and Trapoeraba, which are present in our region", he says. Agronomist Rodrigo Duke, who was in Nonoai's training ( RS), guaranteed that the event is an important tool for breaking paradigms. “Meetings like this are essential to provide information to producers on the correct use of a product that is essential for combating difficult-to-control weeds", he says .