SAGROPIA · Sustainable agriculture through novel pesticides using an integrated approach

Safe and secure food production is central to the European Farm to Fork policy. However, secure crop production still depends on the widespread use of chemical pesticides, which is associated with negative impacts on the environment and human health. Diminishing use of so-called ‘candidates for substitution’ identified in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 is of particular importance for combating harmful effects. SAGROPIA employs integrated pest management (IPM) to demonstrate substitution and reduction of chemical pesticides in the cultivation of potato and sugar beet. These row crops are prone to diseases such as early and late blight and cercospora leaf spot and to pests such as nematodes and the Colorado beetle. SAGROPIA will bring forward thirteen biological and low-risk pesticides from three company partners with the aim to replace several ‘candidates for substitution’ active substances , including the nematicide oxamyl and the fungicides difenoconazole, fluopicolide and metalaxyl. It also aims to reduce overall use of ‘candidates for substitution’ copper and insecticides pirimicarb, lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate by at least 50%. SAGROPIA’s approach combines several biocontrol solutions that, individually, have already proven activity on specialty crops and are close to market. SAGROPIA solutions are formulated, production is upscaled, and their mode of action is being studied. To grant affordability and ready acceptance by farmers, SAGROPIA envisions not simple replacement of chemical pesticides but incorporation of its solutions into innovative, comprehensive IPM strategies. Effectiveness will be demonstrated in participatory real life-trials performed in five potato and sugar beet growing European regions with active participation and engagement of farmers. Thorough sustainability assessments will give account of economic feasibility and show improved performance in terms of natural resources, people and the environment, besides preparing novel solutions.