Grupo Agrotecnología adds to the international pesticide-free week, which is celebrating its 12th edition this year. This campaign seeks to reduce the consumption of pesticides in Spain, using as an alternative biotechnological solutions based on the application of scientific and technical knowledge to agricultural crops.
Spain is the European Union with the highest consumption of pesticides, exceeding in 2015 the 70,000 tonnes / year according to Eurostat, with an average application of around 3 kg / ha. Traditional pesticides are primarily intended to combat pests, although their use is necessary, their abuse or misuse can cause adverse effects, leading to environmental and health problems. As Enrique Riquelme, General Director of Grupo Agrotecnología explains, "initiatives such as this week without pesticides are necessary to raise the awareness of citizens and farmers about the risks of pesticide abuse, as well as to publicize alternatives to them based on biopesticides ".
At present, there are alternatives to traditional pesticides that go through development and investment in agro-technology, and the practical application of technological knowledge to agriculture through the application of products for the sustainable protection of crops, which Riquelme says "are products As effective as a pesticide, while being respectful of the environment, the crop, the producer and the consumer, "in this line continues the Director General of Grupo Agrotecnología" if we want to address a more innocuous future we must use all the available tools In a rational way, betting on an integrated agriculture in which both chemical pesticides of low impact, as biopesticides, biostimulants for a more sustainable agriculture have room ".
For the development of agrotechnology, the support of administrations and constant investment in R & D & I is fundamental, from where new key products are investigated and introduced not only to curb the massive use and sometimes without rigorous control of pesticides To promote sustainable practices that respect our environment, our habitat and ultimately our health.
Analyzing the current phytosanitary situation Grupo Agrotecnología found a trend oriented towards the use of products of low impact and more respectful with the environment, hence Enrique Riquelme emphasizes that "Agrotechnology Group is not a phytosanitary company to use, since our proposals and solutions against pests And diseases are biopesticides certified for use in organic and conventional agriculture, as effective or more than traditional phytosanitary products; In fact we are pioneers in agriculture without phytosanitary residues since 1999 ".