On the border between France and Belgium, a hundred or so scientists have pooled their research to develop new biological products to combat crop diseases. This work now makes it possible to reduce the use of pesticides, while at the same time revitalising the region that straddles Wallonia and Flanders in Belgium and the Hauts-de-France and Grand Est regions in France.
- 26 August 2020
By reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, the Smart Biocontrol project has a beneficial effect on the environment and on the health of citizens in the cross-border region, especially farmers. The new biocontrol agents will lead to new jobs relating to their production and distribution, thereby creating a windfall effect for the region.
Smart Biocontrol, a laboratory created on the Franco-Belgian border, has enabled the development of a dozen new biopesticides and the invention of a new pathogen sensor in agricultural fields. The project, which brings together the expertise of approximately 100 scientists, has had a positive impact on the region both economically and environmentally.
A multidisciplinary team
To carry out this work, it was necessary to coordinate a multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, plant pathologists, biochemists, chemists, physicists, opticians, agricultural engineers, civil engineers and sociologists based over 26 sites. Effective external communication tools have also helped to popularise the project among the general public through a website and by-products, and among farmers through, for example, visits to laboratories. With the researchers, the project has gained visibility, notably thanks to scientific publications and two international conferences being organised.
An integrated approach to serve regional development
Launched at the end of 2016, the cross-border innovation dynamic has enabled researchers to compare the results of their findings with the expectations of the main users of plant protection products, i.e. farmers and companies producing or distributing these products. This integrated approach has been fruitful for the economic and social fabric of the region. Collaboration between researchers has continued in the form of a platform looking at new biopesticides and the creation of a "Cross-border Joint Research Unit". In addition, local companies will develop the new biopesticides and create the sensor, thereby generating new jobs.
As well as the project partner company, five regional companies have already come forward to benefit from the project's spin-offs and thus increase their competitiveness. Another positive effect is that farmers have benefited from a lot of advice on how to reduce the use of pesticides and thereby reduce their impact on their health and the environment. The numerous cross-border meetings and mobility have also promoted the cohesion and common identity of cross-border regions. About ten PhD students benefited from an optimal environment for carrying out their research.
Total investment and European funding
Total investment for the “Smartbiocontrol - Towards sustainable cross-border agriculture: an integrated and innovative approach for the development and application of new biocontrol agents” project is EUR 9 850 425; the European Regional Development Fund’s contribution amounts to EUR 5 417 733 under the "Interreg V-A - Belgium-France” cooperation programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority of "Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer".