Our research team gathered in Petrolina from 23rd to 27th September, to finalise the experimental practices to be tested on our farms. In collaboration with the partner farmers (workshop 3), we have now selected three practices that most of our farmers don’t already do, but would be willing to try. These are: 1) perches for predatory birds, 2) flowering cover crops between rows and 3) nest boxes for native bees. All three have good evidence to show they can enhance both biodiversity AND production-related ecosystem services, in similar agricultural environments. We visited all ten farms individually,  discussed our shortlist of practices and presented the evidence that they will be effective. Our next step is to send detailed specifications to all farmers.

Lynn Dicks

28.09.19