Publication of December 20th 2024 CommunicationSubscribe to our newsletterOur latest newsletter is out! Published quarterly, it summarises the main publications and provides information on new research and the dynamics of our research team.
Publication of January 27th 2026 Research articleProduction systemsDigging deeper: assessing soil quality in a diversity of conservation agriculture practicesConservation Agriculture (CA) aims to enable sustainable crop production and improve soil quality. However, the three CA principles can be implemented in very different ways. Is soil quality consistent across all CA fields? Production systems RotationsOrganic farmingConservation agricultureEnvironmental footprintWallonia
Publication of February 2nd 2026 PresentationTransition pathwaysPresentations at Natagriwal’s Scientific Support DayThree members of SYTRA spoke at Natagriwal's annual scientific exchange and support day for advisors, dedicated to the issue of reducing pesticide use and associated risks. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureagri-environmentLand use planningRotationsPesticidesInputsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingLeversProspective scenariosWallonia
Publication of January 28th 2026 Policy briefProduction systemsPolicy brief – Developing the organic vegetable seed sector in WalloniaTwelve recommendations for developing the production and use of regional seeds in organic market gardening in Wallonia, with a view to resilience, technical development, and economic opportunities. Production systems Vegetable sectorPlant breedingSeedsOrganic farmingLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaEurope
Publication of April 30th 2024 ReportFood value chainsLoCoSoy – Developing a soybean value chain in FlandersThis research project investigates the development of an organic soybean value chain in Flanders. Working with actors throughout the chain, it analyses the opportunities and potential barriers. Food value chains Protein cropsProtein transitionInnovationCrop diversificationShort supply chainsOrganic farmingLock-inParticipatory approachFlanders
Publication of October 29th 2025 Research articleTransition pathwaysDiversity of agri-environmental governance and potential impacts on environmental performance – a systematic reviewThis study highlights the diversity of Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) governance across 15 Member States of the EU, and identify governance-related factors influencing AES environmental performance Transition pathways Production systems governanceagri-environmentLiterature reviewEurope
Publication of December 1st 2025 Research articleTransition pathwaysFive methodological updates of the Danish Pesticide Load Indicator to support EU-wide pesticide risk reduction policiesIn this new scientific article, we propose five methodological updates to the Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI) to support pesticide reduction policies in a transparent, scientifically robust manner, harmonised at the European scale. Transition pathways Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorPesticidesLeversEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsEurope
Publication of October 28th 2025 PhD thesisTransition pathwaysScientific narratives for the protein transition: Will systemic change be possible?The PhD of Océane Duluins focuses on one of the major ongoing transformations in agri-food systems, the protein transition, understood as the shift from unsustainable animal-based dietary and production patterns toward more sustainable protein sources and production systems. Transition pathways Protein cropsEggs sectorDairy sectorBeef meat sectorPig meat sectorPoultry meat sectorProtein transitionLiterature reviewEurope
Publication of October 10th 2025 PhD thesisTransition pathwaysThree tools for the reduction of pesticide impacts (PhD public defence)The PhD of Noé Vandevoorde presents three hands-on tools to cut risks for health and the environment while keeping farms productive. From toxicity indicators to crop rotations and groundwater protection, it explores solutions for pesticide reduction. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureLand use planningLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaBelgiumEurope
Publication of October 2nd 2025 Research articleTransition pathwaysA Restatement of the Protein TransitionThis paper seeks to bridge disciplinary silos in the study of the protein transition by bringing together diverse perspectives and insights. Its aim is to foster interdisciplinary and reflexive approaches that can better support transformative change in food systems. Transition pathways Protein transitionEurope
Publication of October 2nd 2025 PresentationTransition pathwaysA Conceptual And Analytical Framework To Understand Lock-Ins In The Agrifood Systems TransitionPresentation of conceptual and analytical frameworks to understand lock-ins in the agrifood system transition developed by the Sytra team at the 8th International Farming System Design Conference (FSD8). Transition pathways Path dependencyLock-inParticipatory approach
Publication of September 11th 2025 ReportTransition pathwaysWhat transition pathways should be followed to reduce pesticide use and risks in Wallonia by 2035?This work carried out by Sytra aims to provide the Walloon Region with a new forward-looking and strategic overview to facilitate discussions on the future of the Walloon agricultural sector and potential transition paths towards 2035. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pasturePesticidesInputsSustainability indicatorsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingProspective scenariosParticipatory approachWallonia
