Novel approaches (NAs) are the heart of the AdvisoryNetPEST project. But what exactly are these NAs? It could be a technological process, a new product, a farm organisation, precision farming, etc. It must reduce the use and/ or the risks of pesticide. To be selected within the project, it must be implemented in a few farms at least. Experimental approaches or widely used ones are not considered Novel approaches.
Château Couhins is a vineyard estate near Bordeaux. Managed by INRAE (French agricultural research center) agro-ecology, pesticides reduction, and climate change acclimation are at the heart of the decision taking of the estate.
During the AdvisoryNetPEST 2nd annual meeting, project partners had the opportunity to visit it and to learn more about their agroecological practices and novel approaches they implement:
- Mating disruption to fight against eudémis grape worms
- Cover crops on the inter rows to limit the growth of weeds and maintain the soil bearing capacity
- The use of decision support systems and precise weather measures
- Lowering drift risk with high-performance equipment
- Lowering exposure risk with that high-performance equipment completed with strong procedures concerning pesticide use
- Quality control and regular adjustments of the spraying machines
- Saffron cover on the row to avoid the herbicide use
- Prevention app to inform neighbours and visitors about treatments and re-entry delays (https://gironde.chambre-agriculture.fr/actualites/detail-de-lactualite/actualites/bve-33-lappli-au-service-de-votre-communication/)
They are also testing a lot of new techniques for climate acclimation: anti hail nets, organic fertilization, green manure, etc ..
It was a rich exchange between advisors and facilitators and the questions were more than numerous! It was also a good trial for the project to understand what the project means in terms of novel approaches.
