news in brief
Small farmer support
Bayer and the S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF) – a non-profit organisation supporting smallholder farmers in India – have announced the “Sustainability of Agriculture and Smallholder Development” project. The aim of the project is to improve farmers’ incomes by introducing them to easy-to-learn-and-adopt best agronomic practices. The project in 25 villages in Rajasthan, a state […]
Uzbekistan declared malaria free
When Uzbekistan earned WHO certification as malaria free, it was a major achievement in global health that demonstrates what is possible when partners coordinate preventive efforts, the Global Fund said today. “It’s an extraordinary outcome,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “We applaud Uzbekistan’s success, and we are delighted that the Global […]
MEPs propose blueprint to improve Eu approval procedure
An insect capable of parasitising the Asian stink bug has been identified by Bioplanet. It is not an exotic antagonist but is already present in Europe and therefore it does not need to go through all the processes required before an exotic species can be introduced. Plans to boost trust in the EU approval procedure […]
First international berry seminar
In October 2018 Biobest Mexico was proud to stage the first International Berry Seminar in the state of Jalisco – right at the heart of this rapidly growing sector in Mexican horticulture. In this region, berry cultivation takes place on more than 6,000ha. Major international companies – including Driscoll´s and Hortifrut – are focusing their […]
France says no to metam-sodium
Plant protection products containing metam-sodium are used in market gardening and horticulture to disinfect the soil. Following the substance’s approval at European level, ANSES (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) reassessed the dossiers and notified the companies concerned of its intention to withdraw all marketing authorisations for metam-sodium products. ANSES […]
The persistence of pesticides threatens European soils
A study by researchers from the Diverfarming project has found pesticide residues in the soils of eleven European countries in six different cropping systems. The use of phytosanitary projects to combat weeds and other pests that affect the crops has led to an increase in the productivity of European agricultural crops in the last 50 […]
Sustainable bananas in greenhouses: first ‘Dutch bananas’ harvested
Researchers from Wageningen University & Research harvested the first ever Dutch bananas in December 2018. Boerenhart, a supplier of fresh and local products offered the bananas as ‘regional produce’ to restaurants and hospitals in the area around Wageningen. The cultivation took place on two types of synthetic soil substrate: coco peat and rock wool. These […]
WHO pre-qualification for Fludora™ Fusion to combat malaria
The recent WHO Malaria Report 2018 flagged another stalling in the progress towards elimination of the disease, in part due to development of insecticide resistance in vector mosquitoes to current preventative solutions. There is therefore an urgent need to maintain investment into innovation for malaria vector control; to develop new modes of action but also […]
