SUSTAINABLE STORAGE OF GRAINS BY IMPLEMENTING A NOVEL PROTECTANT AND A VERSATILE APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Project Information

novIGRain

Grant agreement ID: 101000663

DOI

10.3030/101000663

Project closed

EC signature date 17 September 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 30 June 2026

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 6 808 397,69

EU contribution

€ 4 907 841,05

Coordinated by

MAXILINE
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - novIGRain (SUSTAINABLE STORAGE OF GRAINS BY IMPLEMENTING A NOVEL PROTECTANT AND A VERSATILE APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In Europe, a lot of factors have an influence on growing and storing cereals. It is important to produce food and feed, and to save it for future consumption. Without appropriate reserves, hunger becomes a likely factor. Furthermore, the average post-harvest loss in Europe is 10 to 30 %. The challenge is how to decrease these losses before and during storage. European institutes confirm that pest infestations in stored grains can cause enormous economic losses.
Today, there are already a limited number of Post-Harvest insecticides authorised for grain protection. During the upcoming renewal of these products under the Plant Protection Regulation, it may happen that some will fall out for good. Besides, fumigants and remaining insecticides show strong and growing signs of resistance. The widespread use of these chemical-based insecticides cannot easily be replaced, and alternative technologies don’t show sufficient results as of today. Consequently, proper rotation of insecticides becomes a serious issue.
It is of utmost importance to apply proper insect management techniques with the aim to prevent the emergence of insect infestations while avoiding pest resistance. Further research is needed on new substances and alternative technologies in order to obtain more effective and less hazardous formulations.

Given the favourable toxicological profile of the novIGRain product, it has improved health safety characteristics, which is essential for product users and grain consumers. Moreover, as it shows reduced hazardous residues, it is expected to have good MRL values. Besides, the product has no smell, and therefore is convenient in usage. The carrier oil will also be of a natural and renewable origin.
As it will be applied as a ULV, the product will be highly effective, resulting in reduced amounts of insecticidal usage, which in turn induces lower transported volumes. Finally, it would represent economic benefits for the EU, as there are lower export restrictions given the product’s characteristics as well as a formulation which is 100% made in the EU.

The first objective is the development of a novel Grain Protection Product (larvicide) and the assessment of its compliance within the legal framework. The second objective is the development of an innovative ULV application technique that should allow the simultaneous application of single and/or multiple PPPs without interference. The third objective is the development of a “decision supporting tool” on grain storage management, including the assessment of resistance to active substances for grain storage. Finally, the fourth objective is to raise awareness within the sector / stakeholders on the importance of resistance to the PPP’s and possible grain storage management techniques.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project started in October 2020. After three years, the project is still on its course and the partners are happy to share its positive results.
First, on the technical side, Babolna Bio’s laboratories have achieved the development of the larvicide formulation after which the preparation of the active substance approval to the European market was commenced. All the necessary tests and trials are planned and performed in cooperation with Toxicoop and competent subcontractors. The results of these tests are already positive. Sojam, whom is in charge of building the dual-ULV machine, has in parallel developed the first prototype and has performed the first tests at the Babolna site and further trials at new test sites are planned. In addition and as a support for innovations, CRI ‘s resistancy research has already delivered interesting insights in the resistancy across Europe. The collection of samples from grain storages across Europe is further expanded and still ongoing.
Furthermore, three meetings with international experts have enabled exchange of knowledge of current practices in the grain storage field and workshops with European stakeholders have provided the project with practical insights, essential for the development of the product, the machine, the resistancy research and the market entry. These interactions have emphasized the importance of the project’s developments regarding food security around the world even more in light of current events. Furthermore, a report on the ethical implications of the project was drawn up and revised. This brought together the various national regulations to ensure that the work was conducted in an ethical context.
Then, actions have also been taken on the communication and dissemination level. The project website as well as social network pages are up and running. For the social media channels specifically, a social media plan was created to increase the impact. Visuals such as posters and infographics are developed to support presentations. Several international magazine articles have been written on technical as well as research aspects of the project, but also on the project’s progress. Participation in a H2020 cluster has taken place and partnerships with other projects and organizations are investigated further. All these interactions are ongoing and supported by the partners.
Finally, regular and constant coordination of the project ensures that it runs efficiently. Already two consortium meetings were organized, one in Hungary (Budapest) and one in France (Cergy). Carefull attention to the management of the budget is provided by the project coordinator who also facilitates more regular exchanges between the members and keeps track of the various deliverables, tasks and milestones. In light of some needed changes, an amendment request was prepared as well during the 3rd reporting period.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The main expected result of the project is the findings of new solutions reflecting state-of-the-art practices by meeting the responsible use of chemicals and reduction of human and environmental exposure.

The novIGRain project evaluates the impact on the environment and human health on multiple levels. Level one concerns the new ULV-product (assessment of the impact on the use and non-use of pesticides). Level two is a comparison of the impact of different techniques and products on an ecological, social and economical level. And level three is an evaluation of the impact on the extent of resistance. Furthermore, as for the environmental impact, novIGRain supports the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN: lower environmental footprint and reduced energy, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, supporting local farmers. In addition, the carrier is a renewable plant-based carrier.

Various impacts regarding the ULV product are expected:
- It will have an improved environmental performance.
- It will allow more precise targeting.
- It will focus on specific insect developmental stages.
- It will have a broad spectrum as it is effective against the most common Coleoptera and Lepidoptera species.
- It will improve the efficiency.
- It will protect the EU economy as it will be made 100% in the EU.

And regarding the ULV application technology, it is expected to:
- Allow simultaneous use of different ULV products.
- Reduce the total amount of product applied.
- Be a closed (safe), programmable, and mobile (convenient, versatile) application system.

As a final outcome the novIGRain ULV Product and Application technology will help to cope with the risk of insects’ tolerance and resistance to the current active substances.

novIGRain infographic 2

novIGRain infographic