As we are quite aware of the reality that there is a world wide trend towards natural foods produced and processed without pesticides resudue, a skilfull planning and implementation of crop protection operation is getting seriously important both for farmers to get good yields of high quality and for exporters to supply customers around the World "healty sultana grapes".

As we believe that we can create the quality that our trade partners request from us not only by being in direct connection with farmers, but also by training them in modern methods of crop protection.

Our agricultural engineers and food engineers has already started training farmers on planning and implementation of crop protection from the begining to the end of the harvest of the production year.

This project is based on how to train farmers on insect pests, how to identify Benefical insects, how to identify the symptoms of the fungal disase how to decide correctly to spray the appropriate insecticide acaricide or fungicide.

Our close connection with farmers and our efforts to train them is also closely connected with our sensitivity as a company to the subject "ochratoxin-A in sultanas" . Ocratoxin- A is naturally occuring mycotoxin made by some fungal species of the aspergillus or penicillium genera. The formation of ochratoxin-A is effected by moisture and temperature; storage in damp conditions favours production of ochratoxin.

By training farmers on possible sources of ocratoxin-A and potential reasons, we believe that reduction in the levels of ocratoxin-A in dried vine fruits will be achieved.

Appropriate preharvest and harvest management and good agricultural practices are the best methods for preventing or controlling mycotoxins contamination. Timely harvest coud reduce crop moisture to a point where the formation of the mould would not occur.

Sultanas are laid out in the sun in the Manisa area.

In appropriate facilities on forms could result in mould contamination during starage.

Drying of sultanas is a critical point. The most effective and safe way is drying on racks which on the other means a tremendous investment.