Technical training for agricultural consultants “promoting maize”.  The goal is to provide extensive information on maize production techniques, the use of maize in animal feed and market trends.  Training sessions are held every year and are organised in cooperation with and active contributions from French experts with ARVALIS Plant Institute and Polish experts from national scientific institutes (IHAR, IUNG and IOR) and the faculties of agriculture at the universities of Poznan, Bydgoszcz, Olsztyn and Warsaw.

Specialised press:  highlighting French know-how in maize, with articles on farming techniques, seed treatment, organisation of post-registration and the seed maize certification system in France, appearing in Kukurydza, a specialist magazine on maize published twice-yearly by PZPK, in “Seed Breeding & Production”, published by PIN, and in AgroSerwis, a weekly magazine reporting on all types of plant production. 

Technical data on maize, drawn up by experts from Poland and France (translated and adapted to the situation in Poland);  this has been done in printed format and as a PowerPoint presentation to make sure the information reaches farmers.

Communication on maize targeting public authorities and politicians;  this was done through a scientific conference (held in Puławy, in November 2004), focusing on bioethanol and GM maize.  Television reports have helped raise awareness on maize-related issues.  The “Maize Forum” is held every year at as part of the Polish Agricultural Show, POLAGRA, in Poznań.

Promotion and communication facilities for circulating technical, economic and statistical data on maize and designed for a broad audience, via a Websitewww.kukurydza.org.pl

To gain optimal results from all actions undertaken, Polish players rallied to the cause and set up platforms for joint undertakings.
 
A network of 40 crop and dairy consultants from various regions in Poland has been established.  These consultants are FNPSMS contacts out in the field and maize advocates.  They provide information on maize in their regions and play a role as intermediaries, making sure the farmers get the information.  Farmers can also access the maize promoters’ data base, through a visual ID display of each contact on the network. 
 
At the initiative of the FNPSMS, the Maize Promotion Section of the Polish maize producers’ association (PZPK) was set up, with members representing different professional organisations, scientific institutes, development services (ODR) and seed companies.  The Section draws up and validates the annual programme for promotional activities.
 
A special seed maize section of the Polish seed trade association (PIN) has been established, with support from PIN and FNPSMS, for the purpose of:
     - monitoring the seed maize market in Poland
     - promoting the use of quality, certified seed and genetic advances with maize
     - helping to build up the post-registration network
     - monitoring the drawing up of lists of recommended varieties.
 

A data base on technical, economic and regulatory issueshas been set up and is updated twice a year.  In parallel a descriptive report on maize farms has been done after surveying farmers in the different Polish voivodeships.
 
a To reach a proper level of market expertise, thorough knowledge is needed of the situation of Polish farming, and specifically of the national seed maize market.  This involves many official contacts:  the Ministry of Agriculture, the Seed Inspection Department, “Coboru”, participation in conferences, symposiums and seminars on subjects relevant to maize, and the monitoring of changes in Polish legislation and regulations.
 
a Organising and moderating PIN Seed Maize Section meetings, pooling information on production and the economics of the seed market, and involving Poland’s seed producers.
 
a It is also important to highlight the work of the Federation in Poland and to set up network chains with the different partners so as to promote French seed.
 

Articles on French seed maize production and its advantages:  articles prepared by experts from ARVALIS and FNPSMS have been published in Polish farming magazines, in Kukurydza which comes out twice a year, in the weekly AgroSerwis and the quarterly Hodowla i nasienictwo.
 
A Polish TV crew went to France to the maize conference in Lyons to film part of two reports on the French seed maize sector.  These reports were broadcast on public TV in Poland in the farming programmes Agrolinia and Agrobizness. 
 
Training sessions for promoters, focusing on seed maize production in France.  The knowledge acquired was subsequently validated in the course of a study trip through the Rhone-Alps region where the programme covered the different stages from the plant breeder through to the unit of seed ready for sale leaving the factory.
 
Participation in the POLAGRA agricultural show at the “French Pavilion”:  this was an opportunity for presenting and promoting the advantages of French seed maize.  Copies of a promotional film (in Polish) entitled “A Production Network Providing Service to Customers” were distributed.
 
A seminar for seed companies and distributors (members of the Polish seed trade association, PIN) focused on the advantages of French seed production.
  
 
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Starting in 2008, a number of initiatives already adopted in Poland will be introduced in Ukraine.