PLANT-B scientists are developing solutions to ensure that this two majorly important crops, citrus and honey, can operate in a mixed-farming system that’s more sustainable, and mutually beneficial. To achieve this goal, PLANT-B is working on 5 main axes:

• Integrated Pest Management: Developing and testing of biological control tools and Integrated Pest Management methods to reduce pesticide inputs in the fruit crop and honey.

• Mixed-farming system Developing and optimizing a mixed-farming system in the Mediterranean region to provide a mutual benefit to the crops and honey in terms of quantity and quality, through improved pollination and biological control services.

• Quality & Safety: Determination of quality, safety specifications and traceability of honey production at the proposed multi-purpose cropping-beekeeping system

• Sustainability: Assessment of the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of the mixed cropping-beekeeping system

• Dissemination: Dissemination of the new knowledge to the agricultural main actors and to the public, and promotion of the new honey