Collective Action Agroecology – Biopesticides

Overall purpose 

Biopesticide benefits and solutions are promoted leading to more knowledge, capacity, supportive policy and market development. 

The Collective Action on Agroecology aims to strengthen agroecological transitions through research, policy engagement, and innovation partnerships, with a focus on biopesticides as a cornerstone of sustainable pest management. Building on synergies with APAARI’s Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCoP) and African initiatives led by FARA, the action has positioned EFARD as the European coordination hub linking scientific networks, policymakers, and private sector actors. 

Six regional consortia—APIRAS-APAARI, CACAARI, Prolinnova, PAFO, SEI, and Helvetas—initially contributed to proposal development and project scoping under GFAiR’s Collective Action on agroecology (CA AE).  

Objectives 

  1. Promoting agroecological research and innovation ideas  

  1. Advocating for supportive policies and regulations necessary for sustainable farming. 

  1. Facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity development  

  1. Enhancing market access for agroecological products  

Activities 

  1. Conduct a Market study on biopesticide products 

  1. Develop a white paper on biopesticide development and use 

  1. Highlight regulatory challenges 

  1. Build a Network on biopesticides 

  1. Contribute to monitoring, documentation, and knowledge sharing of the Collective Action 

  1. Hold policy dialogues on agroecology 

Collaborators 

  • European Forum for Agricultural Research and Development (EFARD) 

  • Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) 

  • The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) 

 

Progress 

Research and Evidence Generation 

  1. Conduct global literature and market reviews on biopesticides and publish an open-access “White Paper on Biopesticide Use and Regulation.”   

  1. Establish a repository of biopesticide case studies and regulatory texts to support harmonization efforts in Africa and Asia.   

  1. Develop a meta-analysis comparing efficacy, cost, and adoption barriers across major crops and regions. 

 

Network and Partnership Consolidation 

  1. Formalize the Biopesticides Community of Practice (CoP) integrating African, Asian, and European stakeholders.  Linking up with Asian Biopesticide experts: The AsiaPacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP), launched by APAARI in May 2024, is a vibrant crosssectoral platform that unites researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, regulators, NGOs and government agencies across the AsiaPacific region. Its primary mission is to promote knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and accelerate the development, regulation, and trade of biopesticides—a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pest control.  

  1. Collaborate with IBMA-Global (Brussels) to engage manufacturers and regulators on registration reform and access to regional markets.   

  1. Strengthen links between AGRINATURA universities and tropical agricultural institutions for MSc-level research projects on biopesticides. 

 

Policy Dialogue and Awareness 

  1. Organize international policy roundtables on replacing Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) with biocontrol alternatives.   

  1. Publish advocacy briefs demonstrating biopesticides’ contribution to the EU Green Deal, One Health, and climate resilience objectives. 

 

Capacity Development and Dissemination 

  1. Facilitate at least three online workshops on regulatory reform, product quality assurance, and IPM integration.   

  1. Produce communication materials—infographics, videos, blogs—to disseminate lessons learned and promote adoption.   

Postings 

GFAIR website 

Forthcoming 

PAEPARD blog 

20 - 22 October 2025. ABIM 2025 - the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting. 

11 – 13 November 2025. Johannesburg. Arturo Falaschi Conference “Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Pesticide Residue Mitigation” The Africa-Europe CoP (Community of Practice) on biopesticides was presented and launched.

 

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