Peter Maes, Koppert’s Corporate Marketing Director with Paul Koppert, CEO, and Dr Trevor Nicholls, CABI CEO
8 October 2018 – CABI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with world-leading biological control specialists Koppert to collaborate on making more environmentally sustainable biological controls available in the fight against invasive pests and weeds in less developed countries.
The agreement with Koppert – a worldwide leader in the research, development and production of biological control products for a range of invasive pests and weeds – includes working with the Koppert Foundation to help make agriculture healthier, safer and more productive in collaboration with nature.
This follows the success of work in Kenya – where in March CABI started previously agreed activities with the Koppert Foundation to increase the fight against crop pests and diseases which threaten the food security and livelihoods of thousands of farmers and their families. Under the new agreement, more Plantwise plant doctor training is envisaged.
Other key areas of intended collaboration between CABI and Koppert as part of the MoU are:
- The formulation, production and marketing of new biological control products identified by CABI
- Raising the awareness of available registered biological control products in specific countries using a Biopesticides Portal currently being developed by CABI
- Enhancing and promoting the benefits of biological controls as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Supporting the establishment of local production facilities of natural enemies to encourage the uptake of biological control in less developed countries
Dr Trevor Nicholls, CABI CEO, said, ‘CABI, through its scientific research and development programmes and commitment to the ethos of ‘knowledge for life’, is proud to be working alongside Koppert to help solve problems in agriculture and the environment.
‘We share the essence of Koppert’s mission to make agriculture healthier, safer and more productive in partnership with nature through the use of more environmentally sustainable biological controls to manage invasive pests and weeds.
‘With that in mind, we look forward to continuous research into innovative Integrated Pest Management approaches that allow farmers to grow more and lose less to weeds, pests and diseases.’
Following the signing of the MoU, Koppert’s Corporate Marketing Director, Peter Maes, said, ‘Knowledge sharing is valuable to both organizations as it will promote vital food security in parts of the world where it is needed most.
‘CABI has a strong presence in Africa and Koppert Kenya and CABI are collaborating in a number of areas in East and West Africa. Validating each other’s data and promoting sustainable agriculture will benefit thousands of growers who annually battle with drought, pest and diseases.’
Additional information
Plantwise is a CABI-led global programme which works to help farmers lose less of what they grow to plant health problems. Working closely with national agricultural advisory services it establishes and supports sustainable networks of plant clinics, run by trained plant doctors, who can diagnose a range of plant diseases and advice on their treatment.
Find out more about the CABI-led Plantwise programme by visiting plantwise.org
About Koppert
Koppert Biological Systems develops sustainable solutions for the cultivation of food crops and ornamental plants. Together with growers and in collaboration with nature, we contribute to making agriculture and horticulture healthier, safer, more productive and resilient. We achieve this by deploying natural enemies to combat pest insects, by using bumblebees for natural pollination, and developing products that strengthen crops both above and underground. Restoring and protecting ecosystems in a natural way, is the basis for healthy crops and a balanced environment.
More information about Koppert can be found at koppert.com
Learn more about the Koppert Foundation at koppertfoundation.org
Related News & Blogs
