Component 3 promotes the adaptation and implementation of alternative plant production and protection approaches with the aim to decrease the use of agro-chemicals and enhance sustainable crop production in the beneficiary countries. Following work is undertaken:

• Study on the introduction of new pests due to climate change;
• Study on the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP) in the region and development of strategies for their phase out;
• Trainings on pest and disease monitoring and early pest prediction;
• Development of national Integrated Pest Management (IPM) action plans aiming at minimising the use of agro-chemicals. Various components are introduced through pilot projects on e.g. development of seed banks and cropping systems, use of pheromone traps and bio-pesticides, drip irrigation, composting, crop rotation, etc.;
• Trainings on improved pesticides spraying practices to reduce amounts used and to lower risks to sprayers and the environment.