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Project Profile |
Why Biopesticides?Widespread (mis)use of synthetic pesticides levies a high toll on health and environment throughout the Southeast Asian region. At the same time there is an increasing demand for organically grown food in the international and local markets. Improved quality of agricultural products therefore will strengthen the situation of farmers as well as of local companies in the agrifood-sector. Although environmentally friendly biological products for crop protection, pest and disease control (biopesticides) have been developed and are being promoted by governments to replace hazardous substances, they are still underrepresented in the markets of the region. Framework conditions for use of biopesticides in Southeast Asia are improving continuously. The current plan of action of ASEAN member states (2005-2010) demonstrates that issues like food safety and environmentally friendly production rank high on the agenda in the agrifood-sector. These positive prospects can be turned into profits for local companies and, at the same time, into improvements in food safety for the public. The project shows how this can be achieved.
Project Goal and Strategy for 2006 - 2008Based on model products and technologies, we demonstrate that biocontrol can be effective and profitable. We believe that only with support of the private sector it will be possible to establish these products in the markets of the region in the long term. To that end, we form partnerships with local and international companies and market-oriented governmental institutions willing to invest in new technologies. One model product is a new approach for biological rodent control which formed the focus of the project’s activity during the first project phase (see box ‘Project Milestones’). In the second phase, which is scheduled from 11/2005 until 10/2008, the project extends is scope to other biopesticides. There are a variety of economically promising products for insect control, for instance against rhinoceros beetle in oil palm plantations and cocoa pod borer. Because complicated registration procedures are a major hurdle for commercialization of biopesticides, a new component of the project will be dedicated to formulate a consensus among governmental institutions in charge of registration to improve regulatory conditions in Southeast Asia. |
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Use of synthetic pesticides is still widespread. |
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2003 · Biological rodent control registered for commercial use in Thailand and introduced to the market · Strategic cooperation with IBMA and presentation at BioThailand 2003 technology fair
2004 · New partners in industry and government for commercialization of biological rodent control in Indonesia and Laos
2005 · Registration for commercial use of biological rodent control approved by Vietnam · Design of a sanitation concept for control of rodent pests in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, in cooperation with the municipality and EU · Successful negotiation between international and local industry for market introduction of biocontrol products against insect pests in oil palm and cocoa in Indonesia
2006 · Successful commercialization of mass trapping rhinoceros beetle using pheromone lure in Indonesia · Initiation of registration of biological rodent control in Indonesia; rodent biocontrol out competes chemical products in large-scale field demonstrations in oil palm · Initiation of cooperation with MARS Inc. on commercial-ization of a pheromone for mass trapping cocoa pod borer in Indonesia · First regional workshop on guidelines for registration of biopesticides in SE Asia, in Medan, Indonesia · Registration for commercial use of biological rodent control approved by Lao PDR
2007 · Pheromone-based control of cocoa pod borer improves cocoa quality (PPP cooperation with Mars Inc.) · Registration guidelines for microbials and pheromones drafted, after consultation of OECD and EU · Indonesia implements new registration guidelines; in Thailand under discussion · External evaluation by PWC asserts project on track |
