Biostimulant Academy

In the European context of reducing the use of pesticides (“Pesticide Package”), biostimulants which are substance(s) and/or microorganism(s) that stimulate the nutrition process of plants, are very promising alternative. Successful and cost-effective biostimulant solutions have been developed and marketed in recent decades. However, the lack of harmonization concerning the definition of concepts, vocabulary, functionalities or methods of product evaluation has so far led to some confusion. In addition, to optimize their use and ensure their effectiveness, it is essential to properly position these products within the cultural system (methods and period of application, possible association or not with other products such as biocontrol products, ...)Recently, a new regulatory framework has been put in place to better define and frame the use of Biostimulant products. However, it is necessary to accompanied it by information and training of the main stakeholders: industrials, farmers, technical institute, …In this context, the Biostimulant Academy project aims to develop and implement a comprehensive digital training on biostimulants in order to make them known through training for different targets (distributors, prescribers, users, etc.) and to massively disseminate validated scientific skills and knowledge. A large audience of trainers (VET actors: agricultural schools, universities, apprentices’ schools, training organization …) and trainees (learners, professionals, other agricultural stakeholder such as Technical Institute, Chamber of Agriculture, …) related to agricultural field in different European countries are targeted by this project. The distance learning tools will be developed in collaboration between complementary partners who benefit from strong knowledge and important network in the field of biostimulant (Universities, Research labs and Industrials), or important skills for distance learning development.A complete methodology will be carried out in order to produce and disseminate a complete training, corresponding to the expectations of the different target groups:First, a comprehensive international study among all the project target groups and stakeholders, targeting at least 500 participants will be carried out in order to collect and analyse their training needs on Biostimulants. After the elaboration of the pedagogical program, the experts will work on the development of pedagogical content and support (LMS videos, pdf, podcast, self-assessment content, …), available in 5 languages (EN, FR, IT, SP and NL). The training will be hosted and update on the my green training box platform created as part of previous collaborative projects (ERASMUS+, DIVA) between some of the partners of the Biostimulant Academy project. Finally, a testing phase will be conducted with at least 500 participants in Europe in order to revised and optimize the Biostimulant’s digital training thanks to questionnaires for pedagogical content evaluation and assessment of biostimulants knowledge evolution in several groups of learners and trainees.The expected impact of Biostimulant Academy project are the fostering of biostimulant use amongst the agriculture industry, the increase of biostimulants’ stakeholder skills and knowledge, and the promotion of natural product meeting with EU regulations and Common Agricultural Policy objectives to support sustainable agriculture.Moreover, this distance tool can, in the medium term, reach many people across Europe. The project can indeed be duplicated in other countries through the development of a complete project guide.