A Georgian woman brings her passion to winemaking
2nd of Three Parts
Reducing pests
Science is an essential component of agriculture, and nowhere is that clearer than in the fight against plant pests. Winegrowers in Georgia have faced a major pest affecting grape yields and quality: the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana).
Its larvae feed on the grapes, causing wounds that also facilitate secondary fungal infections like grey mold. Both lead to reduced yields, deterioration of grape quality and increased risks to food safety.
Looking for ways to combat this pest without relying solely on pesticides, in 2023, Sophio joined a project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
This project, funded by the European Union (EU) and Sweden as part of the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD IV), is based on the mating disruption approach, where synthetic pheromone diffusers are utilized to prevent moths from mating, significantly reducing their numbers and therefore the crop damage.
“We have been implementing it for two years. This has minimized moth presence in our vineyards,” Sophio explains. “Most importantly, we eliminated the use of chemical pesticides. The Mating Disruption Program fits perfectly with our plan to transition to organic production,” Sophio adds. (To be continued)
FAO News
