DEPHY EXPE 2: Experimentation with agroecological systems for pesticide use as a last resort.

The 2008 Ecophyto plan, which aimed to reduce the use of phytopharmaceutical products by 50% between 2008 to 2018, led to the creation of the DEPHY network, within which the EXPE network is conducting around forty system experimentation projects. As a result, 260 agroecological cropping systems are being tested, combining three levels of leverage: efficiency, substitution and redesign, supported by appropriate decision-making rules, with the aim of only using phytopharmaceutical products as a last resort. Over the last six years, the projects have been very active in transferring and promoting knowledge, with 2,800 communication actions reaching 140,000 people. The Ecophyto 2030 plan confirms the importance of continuing these experiments.