Objetivo PROBLEMPlant pathogen diseases in horticultural crops are responsible for 35% of crop losses. Today, farmers lack information aboutdisease threats, as there is no way to carry out early diagnosis of the potential diseases that already exist in the soil andsurrounding environment. Without this information, the most common practice is to minimise all threats, regardless ofwhether they exist, by the blanket, widespread application of “wide spectrum” chemical pesticides. However, these methodsfail to eliminate all the pathogens effectively, increases production costs and it’s environmentally harmful.SOLUTIONMicrogaia is a Spanish SME who has developed a DNA microarray tool that allows rapid and quantitative detection of200specific plant diseases in a simultaneous way. Microgaia has also developed the associated sampling method andsampling kits to take samples according particularities of each crop, farm plot and aspects as meteorological data, ensuringthat results are representative.The use of the entire system, called VegAlert, brings 4 great benefits:- cost reduction (by saving in pesticides)- higher yield (reducing losses caused by pathogens)- preservation of soil quality- compliance with the EU directive No 2009/128/ECMARKETThe utilised agricultural area for horticultural crops surpasses 836.000 thousand hectares in EU-28. Each analysis withVegAlert will be sold at 50 €. On average, 4 samples will be taken for each hectare and per season, this means that the totalmarket size for VegAlert is 3.3 million of potential analysis per year (165 M€).The feasibility study showed that EU farmers are worried by pathogens, and willing to pay for this solution, which minimisestheir risks of losing production.BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYThis new business line is expected to generate important growth for Microgaia. The business plan predict that by 2022, 18new jobs will be created with an annual turnover of 7.1 M€ and EBITDA of 3.1 M€. Ámbito científico agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protectionnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartographygeographic information systemsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phones Programa(s) H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme H2020-EU.3.2.4. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bioeconomy H2020-EU.3.2.1. - Sustainable agriculture and forestry H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument H2020-EU.3.2.2. - Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet Tema(s) SMEInst-07-2016-2017 - Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors Convocatoria de propuestas H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017 Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Convocatoria de subcontratación H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017 Régimen de financiación SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2 Coordinador MICROGAIA BIOTECH SL Aportación neta de la UEn € 642 177,38 Dirección CALLE CAMPUS UNIVERSITARIO DE ESPINARDO 7 EDIFICIO CEEIM CASAS CEMENTERIO NUESTRO 30100 MURCIA España Ver en el mapa Pyme Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención. Sí Región Sur Región de Murcia Murcia Tipo de actividad Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Participación en los programas de I+D de la UE Opens in new window Red de colaboración de HORIZON Opens in new window Coste total € 917 396,25
