Organic farming is more than just production without the use of chemicals, it is the cultivation of foods while incorporating the results of present developments in agricultural science. Producing organically is undoubtfully different from conventional production methods, as it is practiced on a controlled field while applying pre-specified rules as well as documenting all stages of production. To become successful in the field of organic farming professional knowledge and practical experience are of outmost importance. These skills can be acquired by participating in practical vocational educational trainings. Within the TOPPlant project a innovative methodological curriculum, a comprehensive training ,anual, crop specific guidelines for four countries will be developed, as well as a interactive e-learning tool which will make the theoratical part of the training available on smart-phone. By implementing its innovative methodological curriculum andconducting pilot trainings with personnel identified by project partners: NAIK Hungary, BC NAKLO Slovenia and University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, the need for specialised training in this field will be covered. Furthermore, all the nascent learning material will be made available to ipcenter and biohelp in Austria as well, who will use the material for advising of organic farmers and to enrich their vocational training offer. The innovation of TOPPlant is found in its focus on a methodological approach where trained facilitators help the learning process of organic farmers., and in making the innovative training content available via an e-learning tool that can be accessed by smart phone. Additionally, TOPPlant supports the development of cooperative agricultural production in different regions, especially by means of intensive counselling in biological plant protection, production techniques and quality management. Understanding and exploring the challenges organic farmers face forms the building block of TOPPlant trainings. In turn, various learning techniques are implemented so that suitable and diverse learning opportunities are presented to the farmers. Ultimately, TOPPlant contributes to a better and healthier environment, by encouraging sustainable and clean agriculture.
The main objective of this project was to increase institutional capacity for professional training in plant protection in organic agriculture. We wanted to create the program and related materials that can be used for organizing various lifelong learning activities. Our aim was also to prepare a Handbook for vocational education and training including all aspects of plant protection in organic farming (pest and disease control, weed management) and is applicable as teaching material in courses related to ecological farming at university or in adult educational programmes. Supported by biohelp, with its 35 years long expertise in organic farming, UNIZG, their teaching as well as practcal expertise in agroculture, together with MATE and their expertise in agroculture and research, and specifically NAKLO Centre who carries out training in the field of agriculture within the scope of formal secondary vocational and technical education and higher education as well as formal and non-formal adult education, finally rounded up by ipcentre as an educational institution with vast experience in teaching - we believe that the objectives and aims have been well met. The project has produced significant outputs and has reached a wide audience.
The TOPPlant project was applied for because of the importance of organic farming and the recognised need for specialised training in this field. The project aims to meet the needs of organic farmers through the development of an innovative methodological curriculum, a comprehensive training manual, crop-specific guidelines and an interactive e-learning tool. The project addresses the needs of organic farmers by providing appropriate and diverse learning opportunities through different learning techniques. It also supports the development of cooperative agricultural production in different regions by providing intensive extension in organic crop protection, production techniques and quality management. By implementing its innovative methodological curriculum and conducting pilot trainings, TOPPlant meets the need for specialised training in this field and provides the innovative training content through an e-learning tool that can also be accessed via smartphone. Ultimately, TOPPlant contributes to a better and healthier environment by promoting sustainable and clean agriculture.