From News Desk
A new European consortium has announced the official launch of CROPSAFE, a research and innovation project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme through the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The project will pioneer a holistic package of safe and sustainable bio-based alternatives to replace harmful chemical pesticides, securing the future of key European food crops.
The CROPSAFE project addresses the critical challenge faced by European farmers as essential pesticides are withdrawn from the market due to environmental and health concerns. This leaves vital crops like potatoes, tomatoes and bananas vulnerable to devastating pests such as Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN), Root Knot Nematode (RKN), Fusarium Wilt and the Banana Weevil. These threats jeopardise not only crop yields and farmer livelihoods but also Europe’s food security and agricultural economy. CROPSAFE aims to overcome these challenges by developing innovative, effective, and economically viable bio-based crop protection solutions.
By transforming biological residues into potent bioactives, CROPSAFE is developing a new generation of crop protection products based on a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) approach. This initiative combines cutting-edge biotechnology with the principles of the circular bioeconomy to replace synthetic pesticides with nature-inspired, non-harmful alternatives.
“The CROPSAFE project represents a vital step towards a resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Europe,” said the Project Coordinator from Universidad de Alicante. “By turning bio-based residues into a valuable resource for crop protection, we are not only addressing an urgent need for farmers but also strengthening the circular bioeconomy. Our collaborative approach unites leaders in biorefining, agricultural science, and digital technology to create a model that protects our food supply, enhances biodiversity and supports the EU’s green transition.”
Over its 48-month duration, the project will progress from laboratory-scale research to full-scale field demonstrations, proving the efficacy and scalability of the CROPSAFE solutions. The consortium will actively engage with farmers, industry stakeholders, policymakers and the public through a series of workshops, publications, and outreach activities to ensure the project’s results have a wide-reaching and lasting impact.
Disclaimer – The details expressed in this post are from the companies responsible for sending this post for publication. This website doesn’t endorse the details published here. Readers are urged to use their own discretion while making a decision about using this information in any way. There has been no monetary benefit to the Publisher/Editor/Website Owner for publishing this post and the Website Owner takes no responsibility for the impacts of using this information in any way.
Global Perspectives... 