FOSTERING THE ADVANCED USE OF AGROCHEMICALS FOR A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

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Agrochemicals are chemical products used in agriculture such as fertilizers, plant-biostimulants or pesticides. The application of fertilizers in synergistic combination with biostimulants provides the nutrients required for enhancing the crops yield, while pesticides are used to reduce the risk of loss from plant diseases and weeds on agricultural production. Today, the agricultural sector faces several challenges, namely: - Loss and leaching of fertilisers: Effectiveness of fertilisers must be enhanced through controlled delivery of nutrients ingredients to enhance their availability to the plants for longer periods. - Large amounts of pesticides used: It is necessary to reduce the use of pesticides, increase the selectivity and avoid pest resistance. - Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration: It is necessary to avoid soil and groundwater accumulation and bioconcentration in the flora and fauna. - Highly dependency of water availability: An increase of water use efficiency and water management is essential due to water risks. In this context, nano and biotechnology strategies have recently gained more interest in the agricultural sector compared to conventional agricultural techniques. AGRO4AGRI seeks to provide ground-breaking and Safe and Sustainable by Design solutions for plant nutrition and protection consisting of nano and biobased controlled delivery fertilisers and plant biostimulants, and target-specific biopesticides based on RNAi technology, both for enhanced agrochemicals use efficiency. AGRO4AGRI involves R&D and validation stages, aiming to minimize in the long term the use of agrochemicals in agriculture in more than 50% to be aligned with the Farm to Fork Strategy, among other EU initiatives. Further project developments include the evaluation of safety, social and economic impacts, activities to promote society and policy makers engagement to bring wider impacts and better fulfil EU targets and position Europe at the forefront of the agroindustry.