Diversité des agricultures et développement des oléagineux. Propositions de stratégies de recherche et pistes pour l'action

The diversification of production systems is one of the keys to a successful agroecological transition in the context of climate change. It is within this framework that the ‘oilseeds' sector group within INRAE (GRO-I) has carried out a study aimed at contributing to the development of research strategies for agricultural diversity, by placing the development of oilseeds in France within the European context. This multidisciplinary group adopted a sector-based approach, from production to consumption, involving all stakeholders in the ‘oilseeds' sector, taking into account relationships with other sectors, incorporating the wider context (environmental, social, economic and regulatory) and considering regional challenges linked to agricultural diversity. This is why the analyses presented required interdisciplinary work and a systemic perspective. The method employed drew on four contrasting scenarios for the possible future of the vegetable oils and proteins system by 2030, proposed by Terres Inovia. For each scenario, GRO-I examined the links between oilseeds and the diversity of agricultural systems, as well as the associated challenges in terms of research and action. Consequently, our analysis in proposing research strategies and avenues for action does not fit within a single framework, but enables decision-makers to assess their position within a range of contrasting future scenarios. This diversity of frameworks also makes it possible to identify robust research strategies and relevant courses of action, whatever the scenario, to promote agricultural diversity and the development of oilseed crops. Policy-makers could thus adopt strategic guidelines for ‘whatever may happen'. This alternative approach to developing scientific guidelines for oilseeds and agricultural diversity represents an original contribution to INRAE's strategic frameworks. It was only made possible because researchers from different disciplines and experts from the sector, members of GRO-I, engaged in a collective, long-term process of reflection, combining research and foresight. Seven groups of research strategies common to the various scenarios (referred to as ‘macro-strategies') were identified: 1) Towards diversification of oilseed species cultivated within production systems; 2) Towards adapting oilseed production to climate change; 3) Towards enhancing ecosystem services (ES) and improving the environmental footprint of oilseeds; 4) Towards adapting the quality of oilseed proteins to diversified food and non-food markets; 5) To adapt the quality of oilseed oils to a range of food and non-food markets; 6) To harness new genome-editing technologies in oilseed production; 7) To integrate and develop oilseeds within cropping systems and across regions: contributing to regional development and addressing society's expectations. This analysis has identified key strategic areas for research and action. An individual and collective approach to taking ownership of and building on this work, involving all relevant stakeholders, would enable these areas to be translated into more detailed strategies at a more granular level. It is up to each individual to identify within this document the micro-strategies that can inspire them and to find ways of translating these into research actions within their area of expertise, using a multidisciplinary and collective approach.