PHEromones for Row crop Applications

Project description

New MD method to increase agricultural productivity

The global population growth means farmers worldwide need to increase crop production. However, pests remain a problem. EU scientists are moving away from current methods such as chemical insecticides and GM crops, which are unsustainable. The EU-funded PHERA project is developing a new effective, affordable and sustainable pest control method that uses insect sex pheromones to prevent pest reproduction by disrupting the insects’ ability to attract mating partners. The mating disruption (MD) method, which has been widely used for specialty crops, does not affect biodiversity, soil or groundwater. PHERA is developing the biological production of radically cheaper pheromones that will finally allow the application of MD for pest control in row crops. By 2027, PHERA plans to have created a new agtech business for MD solutions in row crop applications worth EUR 640 million and 300 new jobs.

Fields of science

• social sciences › economics and business › economics › production economics › productivity
• natural sciences › biological sciences › zoology › entomology
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.2.1.4. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology
• H2020-EU.3.2.6. - Bio-based Industries Joint Technology Initiative (BBI-JTI)

Topic(s)

• BBI-2019-SO3-D4 - Demonstrate bio-based pesticides and/or biostimulant agents for sustainable increase in agricultural productivity

Call for proposal

H2020-BBI-JTI-2019
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

BBI-IA-DEMO - Bio-based Industries Innovation action - Demonstration

Coordinator

BIOPHERO APS

Address

Lerso Parkalle 42 4
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

EU contribution

€ 3 285 289

Participants (6)

BIOPROCESS PILOT FACILITY BV

Netherlands

EU contribution

€ 1 212 250

Address

Alexander Fleminglaan 1
2613 AX Delft

Activity type

Other

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.

Germany

EU contribution

€ 294 137

Address

Hansastrasse 27C
80686 Munchen

Activity type

Research Organisations

NOVAGRICA HELLAS ANONIMI EMPORIKI EXAGOGIKI KAI SYMVOULEFTIKI ETAIRIA BIOLOGIKON KAI CHIMIKON PROIONTON

Greece

EU contribution

€ 257 250

Address

Gravias 10-12
10678 Athina

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

RUSSELL IPM LTD

United Kingdom

EU contribution

€ 490 684

Address

Third Avenue Unit 68 Deeside Industrial Park Deeside
CH5 2LA Flintshire

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

SEDQ HEALTHY CROPS SL

Spain

EU contribution

€ 397 556

Address

Carrer Llull 41,
08005 Barcelona

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

ISCA Europe, SAS

France

EU contribution

€ 464 998

Address

27 Rue De Chatry
35260 San Malo

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)