FINKA - Promotion of insect pests in arable crops

The "FINKA" project, which involves farmers, scientists and advisors in equal measure, is aimed at finding solutions to promote biodiversity in real agricultural systems.
As part of the project, 30 conventional farmers are refraining from using plant protection products (PPPs) against insects and weeds on a trial area. They are being advised by organic colleagues from their region. In exchange for the use of PPPs, they provide certain agricultural machinery, such as a harrow, for weed control. Together, they exchange technical information on how the elimination of these PPPs can be implemented in terms of business and labour economics. The 30 pairs of farms will work together at least until the end of the project in 2025.

The FINKA project will also scientifically analyse the effects of the changed cultivation methods on arable companion plants and thus also on insect diversity. Two project partners will be carrying out targeted studies over the next few years. Using special traps, nesting aids and listening devices as well as wildlife cameras, insects will be identified on the FINKA trial plots in order to observe the changes in the number and species of insects occurring here. At the same time, the changing arable flora is being recorded.

Research question:
What effects does the avoidance of chemically synthesised insecticides and herbicides have on insect diversity and arable flora?

Project objectives:
1) Increasing biodiversity on arable land by reducing pesticides
2) Initiating a broad discussion in agriculture on the promotion of insect diversity