Biodiversity friendly practices in agriculture – breeding for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Plant breeders need to consider more systematically characteristics that respond to these demands and contribute to crop resilience and adaptation, particularly to increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, in particular in the context of climate change.
Breeding for integrated pest management (IPM) aims to boost the development of plant varieties with tolerance of or resistance to relevant pest(s) and diseases, adapted to local environmental and pedo-climatic conditions, and diversification approaches with the goal of reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals should:
- Contribute to a better understanding of crop-specific genetic characteristics and crop-environment management (GxExM) interactions underpinning tolerance to pest pressure;
- Identify useful traits/combination of traits and progress in the development of plant varieties with increased resistance or tolerance to plant pests and adapted to local conditions;
- Embark in breeding activities for pest-tolerant or pest-resistant varieties making use of all type of breeding approaches and allow for participatory breeding with involvement of farmers;
- Promote the deployment of resistant plant varieties in combination with the range of tools available for integrated pest management such as crop diversification, soil and crop management (e.g., crop residue management), biological control agents (e.g., micro- and macro-organisms), the preservation and enhancement of natural enemies of plant pests (e.g., beneficial insects/mites/nematodes/antagonistic, symbiont microorganisms, beneficial endophytes);
- Support capacity building, training and education enabling farmers/growers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices in pest management following the integration of tolerant plant varieties;
- Increase general awareness of the benefits of IPM and the adoption of resistant plant varieties for consumers and in the value change.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
EU Contribution per project: €5,00 million
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Farming - Forestry
- Agriculture - Food
- Environment and Climate Change
- Land Development
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Rural development
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Central Government
- Farmers Unions
- Farmers, Agriculturalists
- Large Enterprises
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Producer Associations
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
- Trade Unions
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Proposals must implement the ‘multi-actor approach’ and ensure adequate involvement of researchers, the breeding sector, farmers, advisors and other relevant actors of the value chain. The topic is open to all types of farming systems (e.g., arable farming, horticulture, fruit trees).
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou Street, 1075 Nicosia
T.Th. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
+357 22205000
Email: support@research.org.cy
Contact Persons:
Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy
Dr. Mary Economou
Scientific Officer
Email: meconomou@research.org.cy
(Publish Date: 14/02/2023-for internal use only)
EU Contact Point
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/research-and-innovation_en#contact