3 min

Véronique Bellon-Maurel is first woman to be awarded top prize from IMT-Académie des Sciences

PRESS RELEASE: In recognition of her outstanding scientific contribution to near-infrared sensor technology and to the development of digital support for sustainable agriculture and the environment, Véronique Bellon-Maurel, Director of IRSTEA’s Ecotechnology Division, is the first woman to have been awarded the IMT-Académie des Sciences Grand Prix. Her powerful vision for an agricultural transition made possible by new technologies is matched by a gift for attracting both public- and private-sector participation in developmental and partnership-building projects.

Published on 21 January 2020

© IMT - Académie des sciences
INRAE Press Office

translated by Teresa Bridgeman

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Véronique Bellon-Maurel

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Agroecology

Three questions for a springing sprout: Mycophyto

Water and soil pollution, resistant pests, dwindling biodiversity… the adverse effects of pesticides on the environment are well-known. But what if we used natural synergies between plants and the micro-organisms that live in soil to ease through the agricultural transition? Mycophyto, a young start-up based in Sophia Antipolis, proposes effective biological alternatives for farming and landscaping. We sat down to talk with Justine Lipuma, co-founder of Mycophyto.

23 April 2019

Agroecology

Can organic farming manage without copper?

On 16 January 2018, INRAE presented the findings of a collective scientific expert report (ESCo) on the levers available to reduce the use of copper to protect organic crops. This expert report had been commissioned by the French Institute for Organic Farming (ITAB) and an INRAE federative research programme (the SMaCH metaprogramme). The approach of the ESCo involved an examination of the literature, and the results obtained could potentially be applied to other types of agriculture seeking to limit or eliminate the consumption of certain inputs.

16 January 2018