Jan 27, 2021
Crop Enhancement launches biological crop protection slution in Indonesia

Crop Enhancement, a maker of sustainable crop protection products, announced  Jan. 27 the commercial launch of its CropCoat solution after conducting a successful pilot project with Cargill cocoa growers in Indonesia.

Growers and producers are now able to purchase Crop Enhancement’s CropCoat solution to effectively meet sustainability goals and diminish the use of chemical pesticides without negatively impacting production.

Crop Enhancement’s solution takes a different approach than traditional chemical pesticides. Rather than trying to deter pests with harsh chemicals, CropCoat coats crops to camouflage them and mitigate damage from insects, and disease. In the latest Indonesia trial conducted by Cargill’s NGO partner Swissc contact with a select group of 30 cocoa farmers, CropCoat technology has been shown to boost cocoa yields by 33% and increase grower net income by 21%.

“With an increasing demand for more sustainable pest control options, more and more growers are discovering there are better solutions available that can still meet their needs,” said Jean Pougnier, CEO of Crop Enhancement. “CropCoat has shown that growers can provide consumers with chemical-free fruits and vegetables without having to change their operations.”

“The pilot demonstrated that this innovative, non-toxic solution was effective in helping Indonesian cocoa growers improve productivity of their farms, which in turn supports their livelihood and local communities, all of which are very important to Cargill,” added Megan Willis, Asia-Pacific Sustainability Lead, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

In addition to cocoa, Crop Enhancement’s CropCoat  technology was developed to target major fruit and vegetable crops across the world. The company continues to develop its technology and is expanding trials to include almonds, coffee, apple, leafy vegetables, brassicas, and more. The product is currently available in Indonesia and will become available in the U.S. once registration from the Environmental Protection Agency is received.

According to Crop Enhancement, the application of Crop Enhancement’s formula does not require growers to purchase additional equipment and is safe for both workers and the environment. Crop Enhancement’s formulations can be applied in addition to other agricultural inputs such as nutrients, and other active ingredients, enabling farmers to reduce costs and increase crop yields.

Crop Enhancement is a venture-backed agriculture technology corporation based in San Jose, California. Founded renowned materials scientist and serial entrepreneur David Soane, Crop Enhancement is developing sustainable agrochemical formulations that employ advanced and environmentally friendly products to improve crop yields, eliminate or minimize pesticide use, and enable precise and effective delivery of active ingredients and fertilizers.

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