Farmer survey on potential adoption and economic impacts of technologies to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticide in EU agriculture - FARMERS

Contracting Party: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Period: 2022-2023

Description:

The project “Farmer survey on potential adoption and economic impacts of technologies to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticide in EU agriculture” aims to conduct a statistical survey to analyse the potential adoption and impacts of digital and mechanical technologies for the reduction of chemical pesticide used by farmers in the European Union.

The project focuses on a European-wide consultation and subsequent data collection on a selection of pesticide reducing techniques in four regional case studies carried out in Spain (Andalusia/Extremadura), Germany (Bavaria/Lower Saxony), Italy (Veneto/Piedmont), and the Czech Republic (Central Bohemia/South Moravia).

Pesticide reducing techniques as well as the type of crops vary from country to country. In Germany, a statistical survey will be conducted on the use of GPS to control pesticide spraying. In Italy, the study will focus on mechanical weed control in vineyards management. In Czechia, the survey will focus on bulatura as an agroecological practice to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides. Finally, in Spain the focus will be on the use of greenhouses and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the farming of tomatoes.