The YSB and FAW pests are among the most destructive pests in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Syngenta Biologicals and Provivi recently announced a collaboration to develop and commercialise new pheromone-based biological solutions to effectively and more safely control detrimental pests in corn and rice

The collaboration brings together Provivi’s expertise in pheromone-based crop protection solutions with Syngenta’s global reach and development capabilities. The two new pheromone solutions will help farmers manage the devastating pests which include the Yellow Stem Borer (YSB) in India and Indonesia and Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Thailand.

These innovative product formulations, made from biodegradable materials, represent significant advancements such as enhanced efficacy, longer duration, and improved environmental sustainability for the benefit of farmers. Both of these will be available to farmers starting in 2026. 

Pheromones are natural signaling compounds that effectively control pests by interfering with their mating behaviors, preventing pest reproduction. The benefits of using pheromones in an integrated pest management programme include their non-toxicity, highly specific target activity and a mode of action, preventing, instead of eliminating, thereby supporting the preservation of biodiversity and the flourishing of non-target species.

The YSB and FAW pests stand out as among the most destructive insect pests in agriculture, threatening a wide variety of crops in many countries and impacting farmers’ livelihoods as well as food security. Syngenta and Provivi have previously collaborated to bring the pheromone-based technology NELVIUM to Indonesia to control rice stem borer insects. The expansion of the pheromone partnership with Provivi is aligned with Syngenta’s sustainability priorities, which includes accelerating crop productivity while reducing the impact on the planet, through more sustainable technologies.

“Farmers need solutions that effectively address pest pressure while ensuring sustainability on their farms, particularly as pest threats evolve with climate change," said global head of Biologicals and Seedcare at Syngenta, Jonathan Brown. "We are proud to work together with Provivi to deliver the next-generation in pheromone-based biocontrols that target farmer key pest challenges.”

To achieve economic sustainability, specific technical challenges should be addressed. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

While sustainable food production through aquaponic systems is promising, achieving economic sustainability requires the addressing of specific technical challenges, writes Saurabh Maral

Sustainable food production through aquaponic systems is promising. Consegic Business Intelligence analyses that the aquaponics market size is growing with a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period (2023-2031), and is projected to be valued at US$2,151.97mn by 2031. The following are the major areas that should be carefully examined for the proper functioning of the systems and to ensure that they are profitable:

Balancing nutrient supply and demand

One of the biggest issues in aquaponics is to make the waste of fish nutrient producers in the same way as plants need it. Fish produce waste as ammonia, which is converted to nitrites and nitrates by bacteria. Besides, plants rely on these compounds to grow, though the unbalance can lead to poor nutrient use or else toxic conditions for fish. A multi-stage biofiltration system will be a successful part of the process of the plant requirements with the desired quality of biofertiliser. Both the bacteria conversion part and the phytoplankton assimilation part from plants should be framed within the biofiltration and recycling of the waste in the closed aquatic ecosystem.

Maintaining water quality

Quality of water is very critical for the well-being of both fish and plants. However, critical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature should be constantly monitored to prevent any growth issues or mortality in the system. Water monitoring systems that are automated with sensors can provide data in real time and make adjustments as necessary. On the other hand, incorporating machine learning algorithms allows predictive maintenance to take place, thus, reducing the risk of system failure. Additionally, water testing on a regular basis, along with filter maintenance, also plays a huge role in maintaining smooth operation. 

Energy efficiency

Aquaponic systems can require a lot of power because of water pumping, aeration, and temperature control. Eroding the profit margin through high energy bills makes energy efficiency a crucial element of sustainability. Energy-conservation equipment such as variable-speed pumps, which are quiet and can be run at different speeds, and high-efficiency aerators can significantly save energy. Besides this, companies can also contribute to absorbing energy costs by employing solar panels and optimising the system design so that water traveling distance would be minimised to lower energy consumption.

Fish and plant species selection

For the aquaponic system to be successful, it is important the appropriate fish and plants are chosen as not all of them are suitable for such kind of systems. The fish that are going to be introduced into the system need to be sturdy because sometimes water conditions can be less than ideal. Also, the plants should get their nutrients from the fish waste. Tilapia, catfish, and trout are the species of fish that are widely used for their robustness, while leafy greens and herbs like lettuces and basil are plants that are particularly recommended. Small-scale trials on different species arrangements will give the combination of plants and fish that will result in the best performance of the system.

Scaling the system economically

The project of upgrading a layer that grows in the system of aquaponics to a commercial level conduces to the augmentation of the complexity in front of high upfront costs, increased production of labour, and more complex system dynamics. The goal of achieving economies of scale without a decrease in the sustainability of the system is of utmost importance. The modular system design helps scale down the size of the farm gradually while at the same time reducing the risks and the initial investment. Automation of the main processes in the life cycle such as feeding, water circulation, and environmental control will minimise labeling work. Data-based tools for analysing the performance of the systems guarantee scalability and constant yield development.

Conclusion

To attain a profitable aquaponic model, it is imperative to deal with main difficulties like nutrient balance, water quality, energy efficiency, species selection, and system scalability. By employing innovative biofiltration systems, automation technologies, power-efficient building components, and data-centric decision support systems, managers will be able to get the most out of the system at the same time as reducing operating expenditures. By means of such approaches, aquaponics promises to be a sustainable food production method that is environmentally friendly and economically sound for the long term.