O AdvisoryNetPEST it is a project funded by Horizon Europe, started on 1 January 2024 and coordinated by CONSULAI, which aims to strengthen agricultural advisory services in the European Union and contribute to the reduction of pesticide use and risks, 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 was creation and activation of a broad European advice 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 between countries.
In terms of capacity building, 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 incentive to use existing digital tools and decision-support platforms.
O AdvisoryNetPEST aims to further strengthen dialogue with policy-makers, through meetings at national and European level, such as the holding of 1st Policy Board Meeting, to COPA-COGECA, in Brussels, contributing to alignment with the CAP and the AKIS framework.
Um Portugal, were created two networks of technicians in the horticultural and viticultural sectors, with four new approaches having been selected with high Technology Readiness Level TRL: functional biodiversity and smart traps (horticultural); closed transfer system and grazing for vineyard vegetation management. These themes will be rolled out through demonstration and training events from the second quarter of 2026 onwards; stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisorynetpest/