Dec 17, 2020

Top 10 global priority crop protection needs of growers Identified

The Minor Use Foundation Inc. (MUF) recently announced 10 priority crop protection needs to focus funding and research during 2021-22 to secure new pest management solutions for growers of specialty crops around the world.

According to a news release, the priorities reflect input from two days of virtual workshops attended by over 180 participants representing 38 countries across the regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Europe and North America, which were held Sept. 21-22, 2020 and coordinated by the Foundation.

From a starting list in excess of 4,000 global crop protection needs from 56 countries identified over the past year and in the recent workshops, participants including growers, industry bodies, researchers, minor use programs, governments and product manufacturers worked collaboratively to narrow down the top ten priorities for greenhouse (protected) crops, temperate crops and tropical crops.  The Foundation is now doing a detailed analysis of the work required and capacity available to conduct research and data generation for new crop protection solutions for these priority needs.

 The priority crop protection needs globally identified are:

 Greenhouse 

• Tuta absoluta on tomatoes
• Western flower thrips on ornamentals

Temperate

• Spotted Wing Drosophila on raspberry
• Downy mildew on dry bulb onion
• Downy mildew on hops
• Spotted Wing Drosophila on blueberry
• Downy mildew on green onion (if possible to integrate with dry bulb)

Tropical

• Phytophthora on avocado
• Anthracnose on mango
• Phytophthora on pineapple

Progress reports on research and data collection will be provided on the Foundation’s website.

If you would like to learn more about the Global Minor Use Priority Setting Workshops or access additional information about the Foundation, visit www.minorusefoundation.org.

The Minor Use Foundation, a non-profit private foundation, was founded in 2018 to promote minor uses and specialty crop pest management solutions for growers globally.

The foundation hosts the Global Minor Use Priority setting meetings, funds research to identify and develop pest control solutions and provides training and capacity building globally. Together with its partners and cooperators the Foundation identifies and implements work to expand uses, harmonize MRLs, and support grower needs.

For more information, visit www.minorusefoundation.org.