O AdvisoryNetPEST it is a project funded by Horizon Europe, started at 1st January 2024 and coordinated by CONSULT, which aims to strengthen agricultural advisory services in European Union e contribute to reducing the use and risks of pesticides, in alignment with the from pasture to plate strategy.

Since its launch, the project has promoted cooperation between advisory technicians, farmers, researchers and policy-makers, with a focus on knowledge sharing regarding sustainable crop protection approaches. One of the main results has been the creation and activation of a broad European advisory network, involving the activation of national networks in all Member States, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge and the sharing of innovative integrated pest management practices. Common benchmarks were also defined for carrying out exchange visits, workshops and training events, ensuring methodological coherence across countries.

Regarding training, the project developed guidelines for training and demonstration events aimed at technicians, farmers and students, promoting solutions adapted to local contexts and based on practical evidence. Also worthy of note is the encouragement to use existing digital tools and decision-support platforms. The AdvisoryNetPEST still intend to reinforce AdvisoryNetPESTKnowledge that Connects Advisory Technicians, Farmers and Innovation the dialogue with policy makers, through meetings at national and European level, such as the holding of the 1st Policy Board Meeting, in COPA-COGECA, in Brussels, contributing to alignment with the PAC and the framing AKIS.

In Portugal, two networks of technicians in the horticultural and viticultural sectors were created, and four new approaches with a high Technology Readiness Level (TRLfunctional biodiversity and smart traps (horticultural). Closed transfer system and grazing for cover crop management (viticultural). These topics will be disseminated through demonstration and capacity-building events from the second quarter of 2026, stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ advisorynetpest/