From Pesticide Reduction to Agricultural Transformation

10 June 2026. Responsible Pesticide Use and Agricultural Transition in Tropical Agriculture

Agrinatura brought together researchers, development practitioners, and agricultural experts from across Europe and beyond for a timely discussion on responsible pesticide use and the future of agricultural transitions in tropical farming systems. The webinar highlighted growing international interest in reducing dependency on hazardous pesticides while simultaneously addressing broader challenges related to food security, farmer livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, public health, and agricultural competitiveness. Rather than viewing pesticide reduction as a stand-alone objective, participants emphasized the need for integrated approaches that strengthen the resilience and sustainability of entire farming systems.

A central focus of the discussion was the PRETAG initiative, led by CIRAD, which is working with partners across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe to identify practical pathways towards safer crop protection systems. The initiative combines research, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis to better understand how farmers can reduce reliance on hazardous pesticides. Evidence presented during the webinar showed that many commonly used pesticide substances raise significant environmental and health concerns, reinforcing the need for diversified solutions such as integrated pest management, biological control, agroecological practices, and biodiversity-based farming systems. Participants agreed that successful transitions require action at multiple levels—from farm management and value chains to national policies and institutional frameworks.

One of the strongest messages emerging from the consultation was that farmers must remain at the centre of agricultural transformation efforts. Speakers stressed the importance of recognizing local knowledge, addressing gender and labour dimensions, and ensuring that innovations respond to the realities faced by smallholder producers. Participants also highlighted the untapped potential of biocontrol and bioprotection solutions, while cautioning that technological substitutions alone will not deliver lasting change. Instead, sustainable agricultural transitions require coordinated investments in knowledge systems, farmer empowerment, policy support, and ecosystem-based approaches that build resilience over time.

Looking ahead, the webinar generated strong support for creating an Agrinatura platform or task force to coordinate expertise, strengthen collaboration, and position the network within emerging Team Europe initiatives. Participants identified opportunities to mobilize funding through Horizon Europe, Global Gateway, DG INTPA programmes, and public-private partnerships, while also calling for stronger coordination among existing projects to avoid duplication and amplify impact. As pressure grows to transform food systems in ways that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive, the Agrinatura community sees an important opportunity to contribute knowledge, innovation, and partnerships that can support agricultural transitions across the Global South.

Resource: 

CIRAD (2026) Reducing pesticide use in tropical agriculture for human and ecosystem health 8 p.

Five multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms associated with the five value chains studied in PRETAG

(banana, cocoa, coffee, vegetables, rice) have provided insights into the role of collective action in

reducing pesticide use. 

Four major steps appear to characterise the progression of these platforms towards agricultural systems with reduced reliance on pesticides:

1. 
   Sharing knowledge on pesticide use and possible pathways for reduction, as well as identifying lockins and potential incentives to stimulate pesticide reduction at the stakeholder level;
2. Co-constructing a common vision of the transition and an action plan based on theory of change and impact pathway methodologies (using for example the ImpresS approach);
3. Fostering co-innovation and scaling up based on genuine knowledge sharing;
4. Developing market strategies that can valorise the transition through process-based certification or company-level standards