What's Happening?
The James Hutton Institute has announced its participation in the CROPSAFE project, a €4.9 million initiative funded by the EU's Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. The project aims to develop sustainable, bio-based pest control solutions for key food crops facing increased pest pressures and the phase-out of toxic pesticides. The initiative, led by the University of Alicante, seeks to create environmentally friendly and economically viable pest control tools, supporting the EU's Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies. The project will focus on three urgent crop-pest cases: potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas, which are threatened by pests such as potato cyst nematode, root knot nematode, and banana weevils, respectively.
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Why It's Important?
The CROPSAFE project addresses a critical need for sustainable pest control solutions as conventional chemical pesticides are being phased out due to their environmental risks. These risks include soil degradation, bioaccumulation in non-target organisms, and water contamination. The development of bio-based alternatives is crucial as approximately 40% of global food crops are lost annually to pests and diseases, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. By increasing crop yields and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the project could significantly impact agricultural sustainability and food security.
What's Next?
The project will deliver an integrated package of bio-based tools, including active ingredients, delivery systems, and decision-support models for effective pest control. The James Hutton Institute will play a central role in laboratory testing and field trials, particularly targeting potato cyst nematode in the UK. Complementary trials for tomatoes and bananas will be conducted in Italy and Spain. The results will be integrated into advanced decision-support tools to enable real-time, location-specific pest management strategies for farmers.
Beyond the Headlines
The CROPSAFE project represents a shift towards a circular economy in agriculture, utilizing renewable biomass such as algae, forestry residues, and spent coffee grounds to develop new crop protection products. This approach not only addresses pest control but also contributes to reducing waste and promoting sustainable resource use.
