ECOSEME Project (EAFRD)

EAFRD FUND: RDP 2014–2020 – OPERATION TYPE 16.1.01 “EIP OPERATIONAL GROUPS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY”
Financial support granted by the European Union: €11,282.63

European Commission – EAFRD

ECOSEME No. 5514615

Development of agroecological protection strategies for seed crops to reduce the use of insecticides and safeguard pollinating insects
The project is funded under Operation Type 16.1.01 – European Innovation Partnership Operational Groups: “Productivity and Sustainability in Agriculture” – Focus Area P4B, Regional Council Resolution No. 754/2022 754/2022
LEAD ORGANISATION: Centro Agricoltura e Ambiente Giorgio Nicoli S.R.L.
PARTNERS IN THE OPERATIONAL GROUP

  • Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
  • C.A.C. SOC. COOP. AGR.
  • CONAPI Agricultural Co-operative
  • ASTRA
  • DINAMICA Soc. Cons a r.l.
  • Claudio Vecchiattini Farm
  • Coltivare Fraternità Agricultural and Social Co-operative
  • Sebastiano Mangolini Farm
  • Paganini Agricultural Partnership S.S.
  • Daniela Sangiorgi Farm
  • Giuliano Mangolini Farm

TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR: GIOVANNI BURGIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-FOOD SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES – DISTAL – ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
PROJECT COORDINATOR: CARLA CORTICELLI, FREELANCE CONSULTANT FOR Centro Agricoltura Ambiente G. Nicoli S.R.L.

Project objectives

The main objective of the project is to develop agroecological defence strategies against the main plant pests, based on the use of trap plants and yellow chromatic attractant traps. The assessment of the effectiveness of these strategies will include evaluations of the pollination activity of bees and other wild pollinators, as well as assessments of the impact of the various control systems adopted on crop yields. The project will also contribute to enhancing the agroecosystem’s resilience to climate change.

Expected results

The main outcome is to develop, for seed crops, innovative tools for protection against harmful insects, based on enhancing the farm ecosystem and safeguarding pollinators, which will enable the rational use of water resources and a significant reduction in insecticide treatments. The project partners, and in particular C.A.C. SOC. COOP. AGR. and CONAPI SOC. COOP. AGR., will ensure the effective implementation of the results through a network of specialist technicians and organised farms, whilst also enhancing the effectiveness of dissemination, training and advisory activities. Furthermore, the results will also be available for use by non-member farms, as well as organic farms, farms in conversion and those practising integrated production. The techniques identified will enable the following outcomes, which will be made accessible through the production of a handbook and other dissemination materials:

  1. The development of effective, low-impact strategies for combating pests, which will lead to reduced use of technical measures that have a negative impact on the environment and will deliver tangible environmental benefits; these strategies include the promotion of beneficial insect populations on the farm through the introduction of chromatic attractant traps and trap plants alongside the main crops. Intercropping with these plants will promote natural pest control across all seed crops, with benefits also for water quality, soil health and biodiversity;
  2. Development of strategies to safeguard, conserve and monitor the pollination activity of bees and other wild pollinators through the measures envisaged by the project, and in particular through flower monitoring, leading to improved crop productivity in terms of both quantity and quality;
  3. Economic as well as environmental savings, due to the reduced use of technical methods and water resources.

Description of activities

  • ACTION A1 – Coordination activities, management of the Operational Group and organisation of meetings
  • ACTION B1 – Feasibility study concerning organisational aspects, context analysis and the topics covered by the project proposal
  • ACTION B2 – Development of a pest management strategy for oilseed rape (Brassica napus) that excludes the use of insecticides and protects pollinating insects
  • ACTION B3 – Development of an agroecological protection strategy for seed cabbage (Brassica oleracea) that excludes or minimises the use of insecticide treatments and safeguards pollinating insects
  • ACTION B4 – Analysis of the results obtained, including through an assessment of the environmental sustainability of the agroecological strategies identified, with a view to incorporating them into integrated production guidelines and making them applicable in organic farming
  • ACTION B5 – Dissemination within the PEI framework and dissemination plan
  • ACTION B6 – Training

FINANCIAL SUPPORT REQUESTED


TOTAL COST €248,841.81
% FUNDING €228,760.37
% Funding received: 11,282.63

Initiative carried out under the 2014–2020 Regional Rural Development Programme – Type of operation 16.1.01 – Operational groups of the European Innovation Partnership: ‘Productivity and sustainability of agriculture’ – Focus Area P4B – Project: “Creation of a sustainable model of best practices for the promotion of ancient soft wheat varieties in the Emilia-Romagna Region”.