In the continuity of our networking and dissemination activities within IPM-4-Citrus, several events (RT1 2018, RT3 2019, ESOF 2019, Highschool Ste Marie 2019 and 2021) have been driven around the questions “What do you think about Biopesticides ?”. On Tuesday 11th May 2019, a debate around durable agriculture and biopesticide application was organised with 22 students (1ère scientifique) from Highschool Ste Marie des Champs (Toulouse, France) assisted by 3 IPM-4-Citrus experts (Mireille KALLASSY @USJ, Lebanon, Souad ROUIS @CBS, Tunisia and Luc FILLAUDEAU @TBI, France) and Rita BARSSOUM as junior secondee (USJ /TBI).
Firstly, an introductive game around a central question “What do you think about Biopesticides?” was realised (9h00-11h00). All participants were engaged to play a role (scientist, consumer, farmer, industrial, and policy-maker – identified by coloured post-it) and to express their position (Negative/Neutral/Positive) considering 4 topics (Health & Environment, Price & Profitability, Efficiency, and Political & Social Readiness). All these information are synthesised on a specific board and used during exchange with audience. Four questions have been treated (cf. pictures):
- Health & Environment: What are the impacts of biopesticides use on Environment and Health?
- Price & Profitability: What are the challenges of biopesticides production in terms of market readiness?
- Efficiency: Are biopesticides always efficient and available in tackling pests?
- Political & Social Readiness: What is the level of readiness toward biopesticides?
A debate between students and experts was conducted. A synthesis of exchanges and arguments per role (farmer, consumer, policy maker, industry, and scientist) has consequently be done. Exchanges were really fruitful to evaluate argument pro and contra biopesticides acceptation as a function of audience and played roles.
Secondly, students have work on subjects related to “Ecosystem & Humanity: What dynamic balance?” based on a body of literature (ex. Agroforestry, Forest fire, Forest and biodiversity…). Flash presentations (5-10 minutes) and exchange with jury were conducted (11h30-12h30) to prepare oral exam for French baccalaureate.
Contributors :
Fillaudeau Luc (Directeur de Recherche INRAE, Barssoum Rita (Secondee IPM-4-Citrus, MSc student)
TBI – Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Bio & Chemical Engineering – Université de Toulouse – CNRS 5504 – INRAE 792 – INSA – 135 avenue de Rangueil – 31077 TOULOUSE cedex 04
http://www.toulouse-biotechnology-institute.fr/
Kallassy M. (USJ, Beyrouth, LIB) – Professeur – UR EGP « Environnement, Génomique et Protéomique », Faculté des sciences, Tél : +961 1 421 381 – B.P. 17-5208 Mar Mikhael – Beyrouth 1104 2020 – Liban – www.usj.edu.lb Rouis S. (CBS, Sfax, TUN) – Equipe Biopesticides – Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax B.P 1177 Sfax 3018 Tunisie – http://www.cbs.rnrt.tn/
