Zero pesticides in large

The R0pest project coordinated by INRAE and involving the Purpan School of Engineering and Cirad aims to eliminate the use of synthetic fertilizers to break free from the limiting factor of yields, while not ruling out the use of plowing and excluding all pesticides, including those authorized in organic farming, after 10 years of implementation and monitoring.

Emerging from the Ecophyto Dephy Expe call for projects launched in 2012, R0pest is implemented in 9 sites and systems, 5 in arable crops and 4 in mixed farming, including temporary grasslands, within INRAE’s network of experimental units, covering a wide range of agroclimatic conditions and contexts.

Three agroecological pillars were envisioned during co-design workshops involving agricultural advisors, farmers, and scientists, comprising prophylaxis, biodiversity enhancement, and soil health preservation or enhancement, with a focus on fine-tuning weed management and achieving satisfactory economic performance, which could lead to varying income levels.

The project has shown that conventional arable systems without pesticides generally yield lower than those with chemical protection, but can sometimes match or even exceed their yields. Over 10 years of study, conventional arable systems in four regions have shown satisfactory economic results that could lead to substantial incomes in some cases. The widespread and repeated use of pesticides has significant environmental, human health, and economic impacts and necessitates the adoption of suitable public policies to support the widespread adoption of pesticide-free conventional arable systems.