Agroecological management of vegetable flies in Réunion

GAMOUR is a research and development project aimed at managing the populations of cucumber flies found on Réunion. It is based on an agroecological approach. GAMOUR is characterised, on the one hand, by a diverse partnership and, on the other, by technical innovations in crop protection (augmentorium, trap plants, adulticide baits, pheromone traps). Implemented between 2009 and 2011 in three pilot villages (Salazie, Entre-Deux and Petite Île) and on five farms certified as ‘organic’, the project yielded very encouraging results. A great deal of knowledge was gained regarding the bioecology of the flies and new protection techniques. Education, student supervision, training for stakeholders and raising public awareness were also key components of the GAMOUR project. From a socio-economic perspective, farmers have been able to stop using the chemical insecticides they previously applied intensively to their crops; crop losses have been significantly reduced; and the time spent on crop protection has decreased. There are now plans to extend GAMOUR practices to other areas of the island. This project, which forms part of the ECOPHYTO plan, received a national award (a special mention at the 2011 Agriculture Awards) and has strengthened collaboration between the partners. GAMOUR represents both a significant step forward for the development of organic farming in Réunion and a precedent for other initiatives aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides.