The agroecology project in France

24 November 2016

Agroecology: the key principles

Systemic approach: to take advantage of the positive interactions and synergies at the level of the individual farm as well as in its relationship with the surrounding ecosystem, the region, the agri-food chain, etc.

Reliance on positive interactions in the agricultural ecosystem => conservation and improvement of natural ressources (soil, water, air) by efficient management of inputs, energy and crops

Enhancement of biodiversity and biological regulations (agroecological infrastructures, diversification of crop rotation, association of crop species...)

Enhancement of the economic performance of the farm

Enhancement of farm autonomy: seek to complete bio- and geochemical cycles (water, nitrogen, etc.)

A strong political will

Launched in December 2012 by Stephane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture

National Conference "Lets produce differently" 18.12.2012

17.10.2014: Law on the future of agriculture, food and forestry= definition of agroecology

Integration of 8 existing specific action plans:

Ecoantibio (2012-2017), Ecophyto II (review in autumn 2015), EMAA (energy methanisation self-sufficiency & nitrogen), Seed and sustainable agriculture, Ambition bio 2017, Protein crops, Agroforestry (launched in December 2015), Bee-keeping (extended into 2017)

Set the objective of a majority of French farmers adopting agroecology practices by 2025

A public policy and a collective project

A threefold public policy:To make explicit an ambitious and mobilizing perspective for agriculture => to produce more and better

To organize a collective governance through a steering committee with the main stakeholders of the sector

To define and to implement a collective and comprehensive action plan (16 chapters; more than 70 actions; for each action: a pilot, a timetable, milestones and monitoring indicators)

Modification of the other policies from this new perspective => change the supports to farmers to strengthen the incentive for agroecology, change the training, etc.

Systemic thinking: all issues must be dealt with all together => promote agricultural practices which are simultaneously positive for economic, environmental, sanitary and social performances

Agro-ecology is not a set of practices or recipes: solutions are diverse and must be adapted on a case by case basis

Efficiency substitution reconception=> different situations but every farmer is concerned

Collective dynamic is a key factor to support the transition to agro-ecology

Deals not only with the farming practices but also the agri-food chain and the rural and territory development

Key features of the agroecology Project

The definition in the Law

Aim of public policies: to promote and to ensure the long term viability of the agroecological system combining economic, environmental and social high performance

Farm self-sufficiency, with improvements in their competitiveness (increased profitability and value-added plus reduced use of inputs)

Based on positive biological interactions and on the use of ecosystemic services

Contribute to the reduction of and adaptation to the impact of climate change

Project governance

A steering committee with the main stakeholders and partners (describe and monitor actions)

Preparation in a ministerial committee

16 chapters in the action plan, more than 70 actions. For each action : a pilot, a timetable, milestones and monitoring indicators

National orientations and monitoring committee: meeting chaired by the minister once a year

The action plan and its first accomplishments

Training for farmers: training programmes and educational frameworks are being adapted to include agroecology-related knowledge more effectively

Mobilisation of research and research & development: use the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) to strengthen innovation and the diffusion of agroecological knowledge and practices

Creation of an agroecological assessment tool: free use and anonymous. It allows farmers to measure their practices and performances and to compare them with those of other farmers.(www.diagagroeco.org)

Implementation of the action plan: some examples

Renewal of public support: investment subsidies are geared towards agroecological oriented projects, support for setting up of young farmers is increased for agroecological projects, coupled support for the production of protein crops, etc.

Creation of economic and environmental interest groups: new legal tool, allowing grouping of farmers and implementation of a collective project to change practices on the farms (GIEE)

Implementation of regular monitoring and evaluation: the results and impact of the action plan are included in an annual report and indicators are used to monitor the progress achieved

Implementation of the action plan: some examples

Focus: GIEEs economic and environmental interest groups

Voluntary groups of farmers organised around a shared project for improving or consolidating their farming methods in order to improve their economic, environmental and social performance

Recognition at the regional level following a call for proposal

More than 300 GIEEs granted recognition by 1 October 2016 (more than 5000 farmers)

Wide variety of types of production and partners (technical, research, etc...)

Example: Westhalten GIEE

A collective approach to in wine-growing to cease using of herbicide and to prevent soil erosion

A project constructed by and between winegrowers, INRA researchers and environmental organizations

Local plant species (from the protected area) grown between the row

First results : improved solidarity between winegrowers and an enhanced image for the latter

International level

FAO work programme after the symposium in September 2014

Some supports for cooperation projects (FFEM)

The 4/1000 initiative, soils for food security and climate, (voluntary action plan under the Lima Paris Agenda for Action)

Ecophyto plan

Targets for reduction- 25% by 2020

- 50% by 2025

ResultsDEPHY Farmnetwork: a group of farms supported by an engineer conducting trials of certain farming practices directed at reduced use of pesticides (1900 farms already, total currently rising to 3000)

DEPHY Exp network: design and evaluation of farming systems with the aim of making major reductions in use of pesticides

Results

Despite increased frequency of use in France (+5.8% between 2011-2013 and 2012-2014), a decrease in the Farm network between 2012 and 2014

ProductionDecrease of treatment frequency index

Crops and farms with combining crops and livestock10%

Fruit and wine growing12%

Vegetable growing15%

horticulture38%

Sugar-cane22%

Ambition bio 2017: targets

An overall goal to double thepercentage of organically managed land by the end of 2017 (from 4% to 8%) alongside an ambitious target for the development of consumption

Renewed impetus for balanced development and structuring of all sectors

Implementation of a new form of governance at the regional level

A programme of actions aligned with the agroecology project for France

The organic agriculture sector in 2015

Organic operatorsOrganic land area

28,884 farms ( + 9% in 2015)6.5% of French farms1.375 million Ha ( + 23% in 2015) => 1 m certified , 0.3 m in conversion

13,528 processors, retail, import and export companies (+5% in 2015)5.1% of national utilised agriculture area

Total of 42,412 operators (+ 8% in 2015)Organic market Jobs (full time)

5.76 Billions in 2015 (+14,7% increase in 2015)69,000 jobs on farms (10% of agricultural jobs)

Including 225 millions in organic supply to collective catering (+18% increase in 2015)30,000 jobs in processing and distribution

9 french consumers out of every 10 eat organic food2,000 jobs in controls, advice, research, training, etc.

65% are regular organic consumers (at once by month)More than 100,000 jobs in France

Conclusion

An inspirational project for French agriculture in the medium term but one already able to point to concrete achievements

Using a diversity of levers

Based on innovations : in the practices, in a systemic vision of the farm, in organization

The need now is to involve actors downstream and provide better information for consumers and the general public on the transition processes under way in French agriculture

Thanks for your attention.

Pierre SCHWARTZHead of Environmental Performance and Territorial Development Department Agroecology Project manager General Directorate for the Economic and Environnemental Performance of EntreprisesFrench Ministry of Agriculture3, rue Barbet de Jouy 75349 PARIS 07 SP FRANCETel : 00 33 1 49 55 45 39Mail : pierre.schwartz@agriculture.gouv.frSite Internet : http://agriculture.gouv.fr/