COURSES
TRAINING COURSES
UMA offers training and knowledge-transfer courses for farmers. In this regard, UMA has collaboration agreements with Syngenta (https://www.syngenta.es ) and Bayer (https://www.bayer.com/es/es/espana-home ) for the delivery of courses at national level.
The objective is the correct calibration of spraying equipment for different types of crops so that they operate with the appropriate application volume. This approach reduces both costs for the farmer, in terms of product use, and unnecessary risks for the operator and the environment.
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The objective of the courses is to promote knowledge transfer on Good Agricultural Practices, sprayer calibration, and application volume optimization. We have been offering courses since 2009 across Spain and at the Agrópolis facilities, combining theoretical presentations with field demonstrations for a wide variety of crops and different types of application equipment. Typically, courses last half a day, divided into a short theoretical section followed by a practical field session. We also offer advanced courses lasting two days, where we go deeper into application techniques and drift reduction. The courses are aimed at everyone involved in the use of phytosanitary products, including operators, technicians, and advisors.
Below, you can download the materials used during the Good Agricultural Practices and sprayer calibration courses:
ADVANCED TRAINING COURSES
These courses are part of the agreement between UMA and Syngenta (https://www.syngenta.es ). They consist of more advanced training than the basic courses and are primarily aimed at cooperative technicians and public sector workers.
These courses cover all key aspects of spraying, from nozzle types to current legislation, including various practical demonstrations for calibrating different equipment. The fifth edition was held in Ciudad Real in April 2018.
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In recent years, the advanced courses on phytosanitary application techniques have been conducted in collaboration with Syngenta (https://www.syngenta.es ) and the respective regional administrations. These courses review all technical aspects of pesticide application technology and have been held in various locations across Spain, including Zaragoza, Logroño, Córdoba, and Badajoz. The fifth edition took place in Ciudad Real, focusing on treatments in olive groves and cereals. This course was supported by the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha (http://www.castillalamancha.es ) and in collaboration with Fede Sprayers (http://www.fedepulverizadores.com).
INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSES
In accordance with the additional training requirements established in Article 8 of RD 1702/2011 to properly perform the responsibilities and functions of the Technical Director or inspector of the ITEAF, the Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology at UPC, through UMA, has been organizing these courses since 2011.
This year, a special course for technicians was conducted in collaboration with the Chilean center INIA (Institute of Agricultural Research) (http://www.inia.cl ), in partnership with companies and academic institutions.
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The mandatory periodic inspection of phytosanitary application equipment is included in Directive 2009/128/EC, which establishes the European framework to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides.
Desde 2011 se imparte el ya tradicional curso de formación de técnicos e inspectores de las estaciones ITEAF (Inspección Técnica de Equipos de Aplicación de Productos Fitosanitarios). En mayo de 2018 se impartió un curso especial, titulado «Curso de especialización en tecnología de aplicación de fitosanitarios: inspección técnica (ISO 16122) y requisitos para equipos nuevos (ISO 16119)», dirigidos a técnicos de Chile en colaboración con el INIA (http://www.inia.cl).
The course was carried out with the active collaboration of:
COURSES FOR MANUFACTURERS
UMA also offers courses aimed at technicians and managers of companies that manufacture spraying equipment.
These courses include training on European directives, ISO standards for the design and maintenance of spraying equipment, methods for determining application volume, and air calibration in sprayers.
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Courses have also been offered to employees of companies manufacturing spraying equipment for the application of phytosanitary products. In these cases, the training goes deeper into the subject, covering European Directives, the ISO technical inspection standard (ISO 16122), requirements to consider in the design of new machines (ISO 16199), determination of the optimal application volume based on vegetation, air adjustment in sprayers, safe product handling, and equipment cleaning. In 2018, this curriculum was delivered to several manufacturers, including a course held at the Teyme headquarters (https://www.teyme.es ).
COURSES IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Courses are also conducted outside Spain, such as in Peru in 2017 and Italy in 2018, to cover Good Agricultural Practices, crop characterization methods, volume adjustment, and drift reduction during phytosanitary treatments.
LIFE Fitovid
This is a LIFE project, completed in September 2017, led by Neiker Tecnalia (https://www.neiker.net ) and other Basque institutions. The objective is to demonstrate the environmental impact of reducing the number of phytosanitary product applications in pest control in vineyards. UMA’s role was to present the need and rationale for the inspection of phytosanitary application equipment, including field demonstrations.