Context
Since the adoption of the Pesticides Act in 1987, Québec has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at regulating and reducing the use of synthetic pesticides. These include various strategic plans, financial assistance programmes, and informational tools. However, despite these efforts, the intended outcomes have not been achieved. This is evidenced by the increase in pesticide sales, from 4 million kilograms of active ingredients (kg a.i.) in 1992 to over 5 million kg a.i. in 2022. In light of this, it is essential to step outside the boundaries of conventional approaches.
Agroecology—encompassing a scientific discipline, a set of practices, and a political and social movement—emerges as an innovative and promising approach to gradually reverse this trend.
Project Objective
This action-research project aims to bring together all stakeholders (farmers, professionals, researchers, industry representatives, organisations, etc.) involved in reducing the use of synthetic pesticides in Québec’s agricultural sector. The goal is to consolidate their expertise into a comprehensive roadmap.
This roadmap will be championed by the project partner and a broad coalition of diverse actors. It will identify the most impactful levers for change and serve as a guide for government action to ensure the coordinated implementation of agroecological practices across the province.
This project will also allow the CISA to deepen its understanding of a critical issue that has received little attention from a social innovation perspective, particularly in terms of its societal dimensions.