New strategies for the advanced use of agrochemicals for a sustainable agriculture (AGRO4AGRI)

Project Lead: Robert Braun
Team: Elisabeth Frankus, Johannes Starkbaum
Duration: 2024 – 2028
Funding: HORIZON EUROPE
Cooperation: AINIA Spain, Fundacion Centro Tecnologico de Componentes, Syddansk Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Fundación Grupo Cajamar, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, Optimat Limited, F. Iniciativas, Consultadoria e Gestao, Unipessoal, F. Iniciativas, I Mas d Mas I SLU, Sipcam Oxon Spa, Syspro Automation, Mirat Fertilizantes, SLU


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. 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. 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. IHS contribution includes social Impact assessment and social readiness assessment by using the Social Readiness Thinking Tool developed in our H2020 project New HoRRizon; Ethnography of agroscientists to better understand the politics of their research; constant feedback loops and participatory responsible research process development.