Plant Management and Experimentation (MEV)

The vast majority of plant-based foods are produced through intensive agriculture. This form of agriculture was introduced in France after World War II. It perfectly met the socio-economic demands of the time by enabling food to be produced in large quantities and at low cost.  The development of intensive agriculture was only possible thanks to fundamental research in various fields such as biology and plant physiology, genetics, and agronomy. It is now widely accepted that half of the progress made in crop yields is due to agronomy and half to genetics. This past experience suggests that a multidisciplinary approach based on intensive scientific research is necessary to develop a new type of agriculture.

Intensive agriculture does not only have positive qualities. It relies on the massive use of inputs (fertilizers and plant protection products), which are a source of environmental pollution and cause health problems. It therefore seems important to radically change agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and move towards a model of sustainable agriculture.  This shift in agricultural practices began some 20 years ago, but has been accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which aims to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50% in 2018. This agricultural reform must also be carried out under the pressure of an additional challenge: climate change.  In order to develop more environmentally friendly agriculturein the context of climate change, it is necessary to adopt multidisciplinary approaches combining genetics (development of varieties that make better use of nitrogen and water, are resistant to existing diseases, etc.),agronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting crop management practices, introducing microorganisms, natural defense stimulators, etc.), and phytopathology (development of biocontrol, etc.). Plant experimentation, which drives changes in agricultural practices, therefore requires managers capable of drafting, implementing, and evaluating projects.          

 While the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture are important for developed countries, they are crucial for many countries in the South, which cannot afford fertilizers or plant protection products anyway. CIRAD and IRD have developed partnerships with research centers in southern countries. Seed and production companies (e.g., sugar, etc.) in the South need high-quality senior managers.

This master's program has been designed to be taken on a work-study basis. A number of students will have the opportunity to obtain a double master's degree: MEV (offered by the Faculty of Sciences) and Management (offered by the IAE).

For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/management-de-lexperimentation-vegetale/.