Thematic

Agroecology

Agroecology provides a promising innovative framework for developing solutions to the major global challenges we are facing: food security, climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and the depletion of natural resources. There are several agroecological techniques for ensuring good production levels while also reducing the use of inputs and preserving both soils and water resources. One of these techniques is biological control, which limits the prevalence of diseases and pests using their natural enemies (e.g., birds, insects, and beneficial micro-organisms). Its use can promote biodiversity in cultivated habitats. Crop diversification, another technique, also enhances biodiversity at the field to landscape level and reduces input levels. Agroecology serves as a helpful framework for thinking about the relationships between crop and livestock production within France's regions, as well as among all the organisms present in these ecosystems. This shift in approach will lead to more diverse production systems and products and thereby induce a multitude of changes in dietary regimes.

Agroecology, for multi-function agricultural systems

At INRAE, we perform research that will contribute to the UN's 2015 sustainable development goals. We are using agroecology to explore how we can transition towards low-input multi-function agricultural systems that are less fossil fuel dependent. 

Agroecology, a profound change

This research builds on basic knowledge about the different components of cultivated ecosystems: soils, plants, and animals, as well as their pathogens or symbionts. Genetics and biotechnological tools are deployed to increase the stress tolerance of plants and animals that are infected with pathogens, in poor physical condition, or facing unfavourable climatic conditions. This new type of agriculture will exploit a suite of novel solutions that draw on biological control, the integrated management of animal health, research on the complementary facets of crop and livestock production, and the diversification of production systems and landscapes. We will use experiments, analysis, and modelling to design new agricultural systems. These major changes will be enhanced and accelerated by digital resources (e.g., new sensors, robotics, information processing, artificial intelligence, and traceability).

Keys results

Scientific collaboration for pesticide-free agriculture

Synthetic pesticides, which are used on a large scale for reliable food production, contaminate the environment and affect biodiversity. By mobilising our research and expertise, we can reduce the impact of pesticides and find alternative solutions to protect crops. Stakeholders from around the world are working together in order to support the transition to a new agricultural system.

Soil Quality: towards an indicator system for public policy

Soil performs a variety of functions that are essential to our terrestrial ecosystems, our food security and our health. Policymakers currently lack usable indicators to help them develop policies to ensure and protect healthy soils. A study coordinated by INRAE and released on 20 November 2024 provides a wealth of documented and shared information for assessing soil quality.

Can AI make agriculture more sustainable?

Population growth, climate change and the depletion of natural resources are among the many challenges facing agriculture today. To address them, the agroecological transition appears to be a promising pathway, while artificial intelligence represents a new lever to be explored for agriculture that is more productive, less dependent on inputs, sustainable and fair. Like any innovation, AI must be accompanied by a society-wide conversation about its uses, benefits, limitations and impacts.

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Our fields of research

Our research runs the gamut from basic plant biology, with the study of plant genomes and how they function, to understanding all aspects of cultivated ecosystems, from interactions between the soil, plants, animals and microorganisms, integrated management of plant and animal health, and the design of innovative agricultural systems. 

> Read reports and emblematic cases from our research in these areas. New issues will regularly be posted for this topic.

Foteini Paschalidou, deciphering the volatile signals of a threatened vineyard

Thierry Candresse, exploring the nanoworld of viruses

Laurier Collectif Impact de la recherche - Bien-être animal 2021

Animal welfare: a driving concern | INRAE 

Related topics

Society and regional strategies