Development of an IFOAM-compliant Prototype for Organic Chili Pepper Production: Innovations in Sustainable Cultivation and Pest Management

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) indicates that the detrimental impact of pesticide residues in chilli pepper production for consumption prompted the creation of a prototype approach for cultivating organic chilli peppers to safeguard safety and human health. Researchers conducted an inquiry on a chilli pepper crop in Lampang province and examined the simulation of organic chilli growing in an IFOAM-certified region at the Biological Control Technology Learning Centre, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The analysis effectively optimised organic chilli pepper output to comply with regulations by meticulous selection of planting materials, fertilisers, and pest management techniques. The research was carried out in Lampang province and at the IFOAM-certified site at Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The inquiry effectively adhered to organic standards through the selection of planting materials, fertilisers, and pest management techniques. The prototype technique involved utilising certified seeds, organic fertilisers, Trichoderma sp. for pest management, and natural predators such as stink bugs. The objective was to attain a plant density of 5,000-6,000 plants per rai. Researchers controlled insect pests by employing stink bugs to manage chilli pepper cutworms 7-14 days post-transplantation, thereafter applying Beauveria bassiana and neem extract solution at 21 and 28 days after transplantation, respectively. The prototype yielded chilly paper at 1,680 ± 4.27 kg/rai, comparable to the regular manufacturing schedule. The study found a favourable correlation between pest control approach and pest epidemic number (R² = 0.86) as well as plant disease (R² = 0.53). Simultaneously, the quantity of insect epidemics and plant diseases had a positive link with crop yield, with R² values of 0.65 and 0.67, respectively. The research established a prototype that presents a sustainable, pesticide-free production technique for chilli peppers, promoting the green economy and furnishing a practical guidance for farmers to implement organic methods.