Farmers and biodiversity: a synergy to be reaffirmed

Abstract

Faced with the fact that biodiversity is declining, particularly in agricultural areas, the four national partners of the Agrifaune program have set up a study entitled Recognition of Individual Farmer Engagement in Agrifauna (REIAA). Based on a sample of 100 farmers, it identified 87 agricultural practices that are favourable to biodiversity while identifying their technical-economic and environmental relevance. Despite a lack of scientific data on the impact of these practices, field experiences have led the partners to publish a technical guide detailing the 9 most emblematic practices to reconcile agronomy, economy and biodiversity. Convinced that agriculture has a major role to play in the preservation of biodiversity because of the area it occupies on the national territory, it seems to be a priority to give farmers effective tools enabling them to provide technical support in adapting their farming practices. However, in the face of the climate and ecological emergency, change cannot rest solely on farmers. Effective and ambitious levers must now be mobilized to involve all agricultural sectors.