The course was held at SIAF, in Volterra, Italy and followed a course co-organised by four ENDURE partners, INRA via its IPMNET network, the SMaCH metaprogramme, the Environment and Agronomy Division and Continous Training Department, CIRAD via its Aida, Hortsys and PVBMT units and Continous Training Department, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA) and the James Hutton Institute. In addition, for the first time a non-ENDURE institute, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) was also involved as co-organiser. The training course was coordinated by Jean-Noël Aubertot, Research Director at INRA, Toulouse, with the support of Camilla Moonen (SSSA, Pisa) as local organiser.

Nine lecturers and an assistant from the four ENDURE partner institutions mentioned above (Jean-Noël Aubertot, Paolo Bàrberi, Nick Birch, Jean-Philippe Deguine, Régis Goebel, Jay-Ram Lamichhane, Camilla Moonen, Alain Ratnadass and Jocelyne Sallin) and CIAT (Kris Wyckhuys) contributed to the training course through a number of lectures, training sessions, interactive sessions and team work.

The training course was designed to help participants improve their knowledge and understanding of the concept of ACP, methods and tools for its implementation and to exchange their views on its principles. Secondly, the course sought to engage participants in a collective ACP dynamic and develop future collaborations.

The training course spanned a number of lectures including challenges and changes in crop protection, the transition from Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ACP and frameworks for ACP of insect pests, plant pathogens and weeds. In addition, several case studies highlighting ACP of insect pests, pathogens and weeds, as well as studies emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary and participatory research to promote ACP around the globe were presented. Besides lectures, the training course also focused on interactive workshop sessions and the development of several modelling projects on ACP. Each participant received a sample of the brand new collective book on ACP.

A visit to the Poggio di Camporbiano  farm, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, allowed participants to discover how agroecological principles are concretely put into practice in Tuscany. Finally, participants were treated to a visit of the beautiful Etruscan city of Volterra, allowing them to relax during an intensive week, and a social dinner was held, permitting them to forge ties while enjoying local specialities in a typical Tuscanian restaurant.

“This training course results from a collective dynamic on ACP for temperate, tropical and sub-tropical agroecosystems,” explained Jean-Noël Aubertot, coordinator of the training course. “It was really successful and inspiring thanks to the strong involvement of each lecturer, combined with the high level of motivation among participants,” added local organiser Camilla Moonen.

Participants reported that the training course totally (79%) or rather (16%) matched their expectations. Here is some of their feedback:

• “It was great meeting with colleagues working on the same field of research, sharing experiences on research and modelling, cross-pollination of new ideas on the exciting topic of agroecological crop protection...even making new friends!”
• “I appreciated the very good rhythm with alternate short sessions in plenary or working groups.”
• “I really liked the entire training course, but maybe we could have spent more time on the social and economic aspects of ACP. How farmers are taking the challenge of ACP? What are their economic difficulties?”
• “Before the team work, I was ‘afraid’ of modelling approaches. After the team work, I better understood the objectives and some modelling techniques. I really enjoyed it.”
• “The visit to the farm was crucial to illustrate how ACP principles are put into practice. Fabio is a truly exceptional person!”
• “It was really interesting to see a group of researchers presenting their vast knowledge and practical experience from around the world. I thank you for this opportunity.”