The use of synthetic pesticides is not allowed in organic production, but traces of synthetic pesticides are regularly detected in organic food. To safeguard the integrity of organic production, organic certifiers are obliged to investigate the causes for pesticide residues on organic food, entailing high costs to the organic sector. Such residues can have various origins, including both fraud and unintentional contamination from the environment.

A BioFruitNet practice abstract. Planting cultivars not adapted to local conditions leads to agronomical difficulties in organic fruit production. Choosing cultivars wellsuited to biotic (e.g., pests and diseases) and abiotic conditions (e.g., chilling requirements (vernalisation), soil type) is a key to sustainable organic apricot production. Adapted varieties make orchard management easier, less reliant on plant protection, and less risky from an economic point of view.

A BioFruitNet practice abstract. Organic plum production is affected by a variety of factors: unmarketable cultivar characteristics (flavour, soluble solids content, stone adherence), reduced storage, small size and low resistance to fungal diseases and Plum Pox Virus (PPV). The experts propose a list of robust cultivars suitable for plum organic orchards establishment.

This factsheet introduces the ecological approach to organic farming, changes that are necessary to implement the approach, expected benefits, and provides a few examples of recommended systems for the tropics. The information is based on long-term experiments and on-farm research conducted in the scope of three projects across different countries in Africa, as well as Bolivia and India.
The products are intended for use by African farmers, advisors, teachers and students.