Agronomy joint research unit INRAE - AgroParisTech - Paris-Saclay University

The unit's objective is to contribute to the agro-ecological transition of agricultural systems, in a context of major change: 
(i) on a biophysical level (climate change, declining biodiversity, increasing soil and water pollution), (ii) on a technical level (cost and availability of fossil fuels and synthetic mineral fertilisers, planned withdrawal of the pesticides most dangerous to biodiversity and human health), (iii) on a socio-economic level (downward trend in agricultural prices, market volatility, difficulties in transferring existing farms and in accessing to land for new farms).

Agro-ecological systems based on increased biodiversity within plots and regions appear to be a credible alternative. However, these innovations are struggling to be deployed on a large scale because of locked-in situations, where farm structures, the organisation of commodity chains upstream and downstream of production and consumer habits form a coherent system that is organised around the intensification and specialisation of farming systems.

To contribute to the agro-ecological transition, our ambition is to produce and mobilise scientific and expert knowledge and methods, from local to global levels, to (i) assess the impact on the environment and ecosystem services of current and alternative cropping systems, and (ii) support the players involved in changing agricultural practices by working with them to develop knowledge, tools and methods to try and overcome the bottlenecks identified.

The UMR is made up of researchers, teacher-researchers, engineers, technicians and research support staff. It is attached to INRAE's Agroecosystem Department and AgroParisTech's SIAFEE Department (Agricultural, Forestry, Water and Environmental Sciences and Engineering).

Download here a slideshow presenting the unit