Philippe Mauguin reappointed as INRAE Chair & CEO

Given the accelerated pace of climate change, successive health crises, the disappearance and erosion of biodiversity, the risks of deterioration in the diet and health of our fellow citizens, as well as the challenge of supporting the next generation of farmers, Philippe Mauguin reiterated the importance of not considering agricultural, ecological and health emergencies as a zero-sum competition. To develop sustainable solutions and adapt to this new context which has been profoundly marked by these multiple crises, research efforts must be ramped up, particularly in the following areas:

- Improving water management and adapting agriculture to climate stressors
- Contributing to the agroecological and climate transition of livestock farming (reducing greenhouse gases and antibiotic use) and plant sectors (reducing pesticide use, supporting diversification)
- Reducing areas of dependency of French agriculture (fertilizers, plant proteins, fruit and vegetables)
- Designing new methods for monitoring plant health
- Supporting animal health and pandemic risk prevention
- Preserving biodiversity and developing ecosystem services provided by agriculture
- Promoting the transition to healthy, sustainable and accessible diets for all
- Developing renewable energies (biogas, agrivoltaics) and biobased products
- Combating forest dieback
- Leveraging the contributions of AI and digital twins

Adapting INRAE’s research strategy and strengthening innovation transfer

Philippe Mauguin also pledged to bolster innovation design and transfer to speed up the transition towards economically viable, resilient agriculture and more sustainable food and forestry systems. To achieve this, INRAE’s partnership policy must be enhanced across the entire chain of players, from technical institutes to education and training organizations, chambers of agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, private businesses, local and regional authorities, and public policymakers.

One example of how to identify solutions tailored to the diversity of local areas and agroecosystems could be to test combinations of innovations that draw from agronomy, plant breeding, biocontrol and agricultural equipment in local demonstrators with local players. INRAE’s experimental units, pilot farms and pre-industrial demonstrators will be key to co-construction and faster development of appropriate solutions.

To better match stakeholders’ research needs to the Institute’s capacity to meet those needs, Philippe Mauguin has also announced the creation of consultative committees involving stakeholders. These committees will facilitate regular discussions and improved feedback on key issues in terms of the direction of the Institute’s research.

To address these different challenges, INRAE will be able to draw on the expertise of the national scientific community through the AgraLife Programme Agency led by the Institute. Additionally, the groundbreaking research and innovations resulting from the EXPLOR’AE programme[1] will benefit the entire French ecosystem in the fields of agriculture, food and the environment.