The Horizon EU project NextGenBioPest is pleased to announce a new partnership with SmartProtect, a pioneering network focused on advancing smart farming and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) technology in European vegetable farming. This partnership combines NextGenBioPest’s innovative pest control solutions with SmartProtect’s digital knowledge-sharing platform, creating a robust toolkit that empowers farmers to adopt sustainable, data-driven practices for crop protection. Together, they will facilitate access to smart IPM resources that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, preserve crop health, and support Europe’s agricultural resilience.
SmartProtect’s e-platform has been designed as a one-stop resource for farmers, providing expert knowledge, accessible guidelines, and real-time support for IPM in vegetable crops. By benchmarking the latest smart IPM innovations, SmartProtect delivers practical solutions tailored to the daily needs of farmers, enabling them to optimize crop protection in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. NextGenBioPest will enhance this knowledge network by contributing its portfolio of biological controls, RNA-based pesticides, and low-risk solutions, alongside novel diagnostic tools for pest and pathogen identification.
A Strategic Collaboration to Empower Sustainable Vegetable Farming
The NextGenBioPest-SmartProtect partnership offers an integrated approach to smart IPM, bringing together advanced pest control methods and digital tools for seamless, sustainable crop protection. This collaboration will provide farmers with powerful resources that combine practical, science-backed methods with innovative technology, empowering them to protect their crops while reducing environmental impact.
Key elements of the partnership include:
Centralized Knowledge Hub for Smart IPM: SmartProtect’s e-platform aggregates the latest IPM strategies, best practices, and research for vegetable crops. With NextGenBioPest’s contributions, the platform will feature resources on novel biological control agents, green chemistry options, plant resistance inducers, and RNA-based biopesticides. These materials, presented in clear, accessible formats, enable farmers to make informed decisions that minimize pesticide use and align with EU sustainability goals.
Data-Driven Decision Support Systems: SmartProtect’s technology integrates real-time data analysis and remote monitoring tools, helping farmers accurately diagnose pest and disease issues as they emerge. NextGenBioPest’s diagnostic tools for pest and pathogen identification will further strengthen these capabilities, allowing farmers to pinpoint specific pest threats and apply targeted, low-risk solutions at the optimal time.
Customized Support and Practical Guidelines: Recognizing that technology alone is not enough, SmartProtect and NextGenBioPest are committed to providing tailored support systems that meet the specific needs of vegetable farmers. SmartProtect’s platform will include step-by-step guidelines for implementing IPM strategies, supported by NextGenBioPest’s eco-friendly pest control solutions that are both effective and safe for the environment.
Benchmarking and Promoting IPM Innovations: The partnership will also focus on evaluating and promoting the highest standards in smart IPM practices, ensuring that farmers have access to the most effective, sustainable solutions available. This includes monitoring the performance of biological control agents and green chemicals in various agricultural settings, allowing farmers to see firsthand the benefits of adopting a holistic, IPM-centered approach.
Supporting a New Generation of Smart, Sustainable Farmers
The partnership between NextGenBioPest and SmartProtect marks a major step forward in advancing sustainable pest management for Europe’s vegetable farmers. By offering a comprehensive toolkit that combines science, technology, and practical support, this collaboration aims to reduce chemical pesticide dependency, protect biodiversity, and enhance resilience across Europe’s agricultural sector.