Duna Corp, one of the Peruvian CPF export company’s largest producers, has taken a different and unique approach to meeting social demands for reduced usage of crop treatment products. A more organic approach has been taken for the production of mandarins and pomegranates for the Malki brand.
Renzo Carlini, owner of Duna Corp, created a small-scale ‘insectarium’ fifteen years ago. In it, he began raising insect species that could control virtually all infestations in the orchard. It turned out to be a highly successful approach and the approximately 400 hectare orchard is now partly protected by these natural enemies, which are released at just the right time. As long as there are enough harmful insects to feed the ‘good’ insects, the population in the orchard remains stable. Once the infestation is under control, the ‘good’ insects no longer have sufficient nourishment and leave the orchard.
“I estimate that we use around 50% fewer pesticides than orchards that do not use insects,” says Carlini. “Depending on the climate, it is sometimes even possible to eradicate a harmful insect from the orchard more quickly with ‘good’ insects than using chemicals. So the advantage is twofold: fewer pesticides and a faster rate of infestation control,” he concludes.