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
Programme(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.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)
Coordinator
Participants (6)
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
CH5 2LA Flintshire
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.