Modelling policies towards pesticide-free agricultural production systems

The use of pesticides implies negative effects on human health and the environment. Thus, reduction in pesticide risks without harming food security farmers' income is a key policy goal. aim to investigate implications policies that explicitly foster large-scale adoption pesticide-free, non-organic production systems at national scale using Swiss crop as an illustrative example. We develop bio-economic modelling approach combines agent-based modelling, Delphi study assess yield detailed representation labour machinery production. Using framework allows consideration heterogeneous farm-specific adaptation responses voluntary direct payments for crop-specific conversion pesticide-free but systems. used changing farm sector levels its (crop-specific) terms area, volume, value income. Our illustrated Switzerland example, where will be implemented. results show extent losses has especially significant effect rate cropping impacts introducing imply reduced (volume) calorie only minimal reductions value, due expected higher prices products. are small, participation compensated with often cost non-use pesticides. To establish between conventional organic and, thereby, reduce trade-offs resulting from both extremes, schemes need flexible, allowing paradigm some parts rotation not necessarily entire rotations. This first national-scale adopting system by