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AGRICULTURE NEWS UPDATES IN ASIA – February 2025

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Global News

EU drops pesticide reduction plan amid political opposition

The European Commission has abandoned its plan to halve pesticide use by 2030, shifting focus to trade and innovation instead of mandatory cuts. Read more…

European governments heading towards GMO deregulation

The EU has moved a step closer to lifting the stringent regulation of a new generation of genetically modified crops created using new genomic techniques (NGT), Read more…

UK rules out trade deals which undercut food standards

Britain will not sign trade deals with potential suppliers such as the U.S. that open the way for food imports that are produced in a way that would be illegal for the country’s farmers, environment and farming minister. Read more…

Gates Agricultural Innovations and Corteva forge new collaboration to drive Ag Innovation

Gates Ag One and Corteva, Inc, a global agriculture technology company, announced a new collaboration to accelerate agricultural innovations in support of global food security. Read more…

Country News

Australia

Australian agriculture – competitive, resilient and up for the challenge

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is well placed to take on future challenges and opportunities, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian agriculture. Read more…

Massive invasion spreads across Australia and what you need to know

They advised residents to inspect ‘bare, compact soil’ and ‘hard, well-drained ground along contour banks or open areas’ for locust eggs. Read more…

Australia – Early alert system for crop disease infection

In an Australian first, grain growers now have access to accurate, localised data to improve disease management through a project harnessing technology to track airborne disease spore movement. Read more…

‘Poultry have been infected’: Bird flu confirmed at Victorian chicken farm

Bird flu has been detected at a chicken farm in northern Victoria, leading biosecurity officers to put the farm into lockdown. Read more…

Bangladesh

Lack of policy likely to affect export of farm products

Lack of a pesticide policy in Bangladesh prompts incessant use of chemical pesticides, offering a challenge to achieve the country’s ambitious goal of earning $5.0 billion in agricultural exports by 2030. Read more…

Bangladesh set to surpass China in cotton imports, USDA reports

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Bangladesh is poised to overtake China as the world’s leading cotton importer during the 2024-25 trading year, which runs from August to July. Read more…

China

China’s bold new agricultural plan puts AI, biotech and seeds behind self-sufficiency push

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has outlined 10 critically important areas to prioritise while keeping a close eye on advancements in the world’s technological frontiers… Read more..

Syngenta Group to open major R&D facility in Shanghai

Switzerland-headquartered crop protection and seeds provider Syngenta Group on Monday announced it will open a crop protection innovation center in Shanghai. Read more…

China to expand plantation of ratoon rice by over 666,000 hectares

China plans to expand its ratoon rice cultivation area by approximately 10 million mu (about 666,666 hectares) by 2030. Read more…

China pushes for high-level self-reliance in agricultural tech

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice on Friday outlining key sectors for agricultural technology innovation from 2024 to 2028, with the goal of accelerating progress toward high-level self-reliance in agricultural technology. Read more…

India

India a trusted friend, looking to elevate strategic ties: EU President

Modi and von der Leyen are to meet Friday. Her visit to India is taking place at a time when the trans-Atlantic partnership between Europe and the US is navigating uncertainty. Read more…

Satya Nadella Shares Video Of AI-Powered Farming In India, Elon Musk Reacts

In a post on X, Mr Nadella shared the story of small-town sugarcane farmers who have historically faced significant challenges. Read more…

Punjab faces cotton diversification challenge ahead of sowing season

Punjab agriculture director Jaswant Singh said efforts are being made to encourage farmers to return to cotton cultivation, with the government standing in support. Read more…

5-Day HRD Programme on Integrated Pest Management takes off at Kisan Kendra

 The HRD programme has been designed to enhance participants’ understanding of the safe and judicious use of pesticides, promote the use of CIB&RC- approved pesticides, and highlight the role of botanicals in agriculture for achieving sustainable agricultural practices. Read more…

Indonesia

Join The Potential Of GMO Plants As Agricultural Innovation And Sustainable Lifestyle

Indonesia is entering a new era in the agricultural world, where genetic engineering technology or GMO (Generally Modified Organization) is the main focus to overcome the challenges of food security and climate change. Read more…

Source: https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/462690

CropLife Indonesia Promotes Sustainable Pesticide Management

Head of the Pesticide Supervision Substance Group of the Pesticide Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Budi Hanafi, emphasized that synergy between stakeholders is key to maintaining agricultural productivity without sacrificing health and environmental sustainability. Read more…

2025 Agrinovation Conference: Encourage Innovation And Collaboration For The Future Of Indonesian Agriculture

This conference opened with a key speech from President Prabowo Subianto who emphasized the important role of innovation in realizing food sovereignty and Indonesia’s economic growth. Read more…

Indonesia’s Palm Oil at Risk as Rising Temperatures Kill Pollinating Beetles

A recent study presented at the International Conference on Oil Palm & Environment (ICOPE) 2025 in Bali reveals the impact of rising temperatures on these crucial insects. Read more…

Japan

Japan’s farm exports up 3.7% to 1.5 tril. yen in 2024, new record

The value of Japan’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry product exports rose 3.7 percent in 2024 from a year earlier to 1.5 trillion yen ($9.6 billion), setting a new record. Read more…

Amid climate change, LED-lit ‘plant factories’ enter spotlight

A roughly 60-square-meter hydroponic farm was installed on the 11th floor when the Itoya building was rebuilt in 2015. Read more…

Korea

Dabeeo, Sooin partner to expand smart agriculture in Southeast Asia

South Korean geospatial artificial intelligence firm Dabeeo said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with controlled-release fertilizer specialist Sooin… Read more…

Korea’s National Bio Commission plans regulatory reforms for stem cells, gene editing

Korea’s bio sector awaits significant regulatory enhancements amid global competition. Read more…

South Korea eases farmland regulations to boost agricultural investments

New measures aim to stimulate rural investment and simplify land regulations in South Korea. Read more…

Malaysia

‘Stakeholders consulted on Crop Seed Quality Bill amendment’

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) remains committed to ensuring national food security while safeguarding the environment and public health… Read more…

KPKM approves RM9.25 million allocation to empower Johor’s food security agenda

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has approved an allocation of RM9.25 million (Phase 1) to empower the food security agenda. Read more…

Anwar urges swift action on five-season padi cultivation project in Kedah

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the implementation of infrastructure to support the ‘five-seasons in two years’ padi cultivation programme… Read more…

Pakistan

President for greater cooperation with China in agriculture, communication, space, technology, industry

President Asif Ali Zardari desired that Pakistan, due to its closer geographical proximity with China, would like to take advantage from the Chinese advancements in different fields including agriculture, communication space, technology and industry. Read more…

Pak-Vietnam Ties To Be Strengthened: Envoy

Ambassador of Vietnam H.E Pham Anh Tuan on Tuesday said that Pak-Vietnam ties would be strengthened further in agriculture by taking benefit from each other’s experience. Read more…

SUPARCO, BKK join forces to revolutionize agriculture with space technology

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and Bakhabar Kissan (BKK), with M/S JAZZ as its communication partner have signed an agreement to empower farmers with smart agricultural solutions using space technology. Read more…

Philippines

Philippine ministerial delegation tours Middle East for trade, agriculture deals

In an effort to strengthen the Philippines’ trade presence in the Middle East, a government-led business mission is touring Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to explore new market opportunities for the country’s agricultural and non-food products. Read more…

ISAAA and DA Biotech Program to Hold a Webinar on Regulatory Frameworks for New Breeding Techniques in Crops

ISAAA Inc., in collaboration with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech Program), will hold the webinar titled Global and Local Perspectives on the Regulatory Frameworks for New Breeding Techniques in Crops on March 6, 2025, via Zoom. The registration is now open to all interested participants. Read more…

Philippine partners plan to use videos to help indigenous farming communities and foster peace

Participants attending a training programme held recently in Mindanao, Philippines, announced their plans to show local language farmer training videos on agroecological practices to the indigenous communities they work with… Read more…

Taiwan

Taiwan deepens agricultural cooperation with Australia

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture attended the Australia-Taiwan 19th Agricultural Working Group Meeting Feb. 19 in Brisbane, underscoring the government’s commitment to forging strong partnerships through agriculture. Read more…

Lai meets Eswatini delegation

President William Lai (賴清德) met with a visiting delegation led by Thulisile Dladla, deputy prime minister of Eswatini in Southern Africa, and expressed hope for increased collaborations between the two countries. Read more…

Taiwan extends mandatory inspection on Vietnamese durian imports

Taiwan will continue inspecting every shipment of fresh durian from Việt Nam until April 30 to ensure food safety compliance. Read more…

Thailand

Smart drive to boost rice farming

Thailand is looking to strengthen its rice farming sector by introducing a climate-smart initiative for growers nationwide. Read more…Thailand unveils AI-, IoT-based smart agriculture platform

Thailand has launched a new smart farming platform named “HandySense B-Farm” which harnesses the power of smart sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to help farmers control and manage their farms efficiently. Read more…

Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has expressed confidence that Thai durians will continue to be the preferred choice in China, following enhancements to food safety and contamination screenings. Read more…

Vietnam

Vietnam: A ‘hot spot’ for international cooperation in agricultural sciences

During the workshop, SPIA representatives presented their assessment of CGIAR research outreach among farmers. Read more…

Sri Lanka wants Vietnam to support urea fertilizer for the main rice crop

Minister Lalkantha affirmed that there are no obstacles to expanding agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Read more…

Vietnam must tighten food safety controls after 130 EU export warnings

The EU has tightened food safety checks on Vietnam’s exports, issuing 130 warnings in 2024 over pesticide residues and microbial contamination. Read more…

The Canadian province stands ready to exchange agricultural research with Vietnam

(VAN) Minister Warren Kaeding is willing to collaborate with Vietnam on the application of science and technology in agriculture to enhance production efficiency and protect the environment. Read more…

Plant Science Updates

Antioxidants in fruits and flowers seem to counteract harmful effects of microplastics, study shows

Australian-led research discovers weapon used by fungi to destroy food crops

UK biotech firm Tropic to launch non-browning bananas in March, extended shelf-life bananas by year-end

China’s new rapeseed variety increases yield, enhances food security

Chinese scientists develop rice strain to support heart health

Scientists Have Identified Genetic Defense Against Soybean Cyst Nematodes

This tiny plant could revolutionize agriculture and combat climate change

How peaches get their color: scientists discover key regulatory genes

Researchers Identify Genes that Help Sorghum Resist Striga by Preventing its Germination

Credits to the owners of the news embedded on this post.

Feature Section, Latest News, Newsletter, Video

DON’T MISS OUT: CATCH UP ON OUR LATEST PODCASTS!

In case you’ve missed any of our recent podcasts, now is the perfect time to catch up! We’ve covered some insightful interviews from great leaders in the field of agriculture that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re looking for the latest innovations, expert opinions, or just some engaging conversations, revisiting these episodes will definitely be worth your while. Take a moment to look back and enjoy the valuable content we’ve shared with you!

Ep37 | Emily Rees on Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Food Systems

In this podcast, hear out Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International, as she emphasizes how agriculture and ag innovation plays a big role in attaining sustainable food systems around the globe. She also touches on challenges that women experience that prevents them to have full participation in different aspects. 
Enabling functioning supply chains, supporting policies, continuous research and development of technologies for a climate smart agriculture – just to name a few of the advocacies and program that CropLife and its members support.

Ep 38 | Prajwal Shahi on Smallholder Farmers and the Importance of Partnerships

Prajwal Shahi, Portfolio Advisor – Agriculture, PRISMA, talks about important innovations that help elevate the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Here, Prajwal highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in pushing agendas forward to alleviate climate change, and also in ensuring a better life for the smallholder farmers.

Ep 39 | Khalil Hegarty on the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability Report

Here, Khalil Manaf Hegarty, Director of Oxley Hegarty and author of the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability, speaks about the diversity of food systems, culture and regions, making the idea of “one-size-fits-all” a faulty concept. He also provides context about the EU Green Deal for the food and agriculture industry.

Ep 40 | Erika Balzarelli on Smallholder Farmers and Sustainability
Ep 41 | Francine Sayoc on the Importance of Seed and Partnerships

In Ep 40, Erika Balzerelli, founder of The Sustainable Smallholder, highlights the trends and patterns in the challenges that smallholder farmers face, as well as the roles that cultures and traditions can play in the ways of engaging effectively with them. Learn about the importance of engaging smallholder farmers, and how existing technologies paired with an effective system of providing education and accessibility can help improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers, while being sustainable.

While in Ep 41, we got to discuss about the beginning of the food system – Seeds. Let’s engage with Francine Sayoc, Executive Director of The Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) as she highlights the importance of educating farmers on the legalities of seeds and the tools that would help farmers with their livelihood. She also stated how public-private partnerships are essential in agriculture, both to the farmer, and the food supply chain.

Hope you had a blast in listening to our podcasts! Subscribe in Asia’s Farm to Fork: 5 Good Questions Podcast through the different channels below.

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Facts, Latest News

BEYOND THE BIG FOUR – STAPLE CROPS AROUND THE WORLD

By: CropLife International

A staple food is one that is eaten regularly and in such amounts that it is a main part of a population’s diet, supplying a significant amount of energy and nutrition. These crops are in such high demand that they need to be high-yielding and resistant to pests, diseases and environmental stresses.

There are more than 50,000 edible plant species on the planet, but only a few hundred contribute meaningfully to our diet. In fact, just 15 crops provide 90 percent of global energy intake and “the big four” – maize, rice, wheat and potatoes – are staples for about 5 billion people. Such reliable, widespread crops are the basis of food systems and human subsistence. Plant science technologies, such as crop protection products and biotech seeds, have helped keep these staples stable, even in the face of climate change.

The most productive staple crop in the world is maize, which yielded 1.1 billion tons in 2019 alone, followed by wheat, rice and potatoes at 765, 755 and 370 million tons, respectively.  But what about staple crops beyond these heavy hitters? Here is a look at the unsung heroes of agriculture. In different parts of the world, they help feed rural communities and entire countries, with more nutrients than the big four.

Soybeans have been grown as a crop for thousands of years. As legume plants, they fixate nitrogen, absorbing this essential nutrient from soil bacteria, which is a talent most crops lack. This means fertilizer is usually not needed when growing soybeans. Moreover, plant science technologies have led to higher and higher soybean yields. No wonder they are one of the world’s fastest expanding crops!

While low-carb soybeans are highly prized for their oil, they are considered a staple food because of their protein. They are among the best sources of plant-based protein in the world, plus contain vitamins and minerals. They are processed into milk, tofu, tempeh and other high-protein products. Japan and China are major consumers of these foods.

Global soybean production is concentrated in Brazil and the United States on sizeable farms, but the crop is also grown in many other countries by smallholder farmers.

In both developed and developing countries, the adoption of biotech soybean varieties has more than doubled yields since the 1960s. That’s why these varieties account for up to 81 percent of global production. Herbicide-resistant biotech soybeans also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent as they allow for no-till farming, which keeps carbon in the soil.

Cassava is a staple for more than 600 million people across Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of fiber and potassium. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations identified it as a vital crop in the fight against hunger and formed a partnership to bolster its genetic improvement.

Cassava is grown by many farmers in developing countries due to its ability to thrive in poor soils as it requires less water and fertilizer than alternatives and can be harvested anytime from eight to 24 months after planting, meaning it can be left in the ground as a living food store. The only caveat is that long periods in the soil makes cassava more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Cassava farmers have typically struggled with these challenges as the crop is notoriously resistant to traditional plant breeding techniques due to unreliable flowering patterns.

However, gene-edited cassava flowers more reliably, giving researchers great hope for the future of this crop. Biotech varieties could help control pests and diseases as well as enhance yields and nutrition. This crop has untapped potential; experts estimate that introducing such varieties could increase cassava production in Africa by 150 percent.

Sweet potatoes are vital in the diets of people in parts of Africa and Asia, where they are a major source of subsistence. They are a rich source of vitamin A and good source of fiber.

Drought-tolerant sweet potatoes grow incredibly well on marginal land and do not require a large degree of care. Farmers are sweet on these qualities so these potatoes have expanded faster than all other staple crops in sub-Saharan Africa in the last 20 years. They have also attracted the attention of researchers who would like to use sweet potatoes to improve the health of children.

In rural sub-Saharan Africa, around 48 percent of children have vitamin A deficiency. This can degrade immune systems, increasing the risk of diarrhea and even causing blindness. In 2009, this dire situation led to the formation of the Sweet Potato for Profit and Health Initiative, which developed varieties with greater virus resistance, drought tolerance and lower sugar levels. It led to commercial production of orange-fleshed sweet potato biofortified with beta carotene. This variety significantly raises vitamin A levels in children, further cementing the sweet potato’s status as a vital staple.

Known as an “orphan crop” due to not being widely traded, yams are a staple food for more than 100 million people in the tropics, particularly western and central Africa. They are “yam-packed” with vitamin C, potassium and fiber. 

Contrary to popular belief, yams are distinct from sweet potatoes; they are less sweet, more starchy, larger and cylindrical with bark-like skin that’s difficult to peel and flesh that’s purple or pink when mature. Yams can grow up to 1.5 meters and 60 kilograms! 

Indigenous to Africa and Asia, yams are now also commonly grown in the Caribbean and Latin America. There are more than 600 varieties! 

Farmers favor them as they can be stored for four to six months without refrigeration, giving people a vital safety net between growing seasons.  

The yam’s orphan status has led to a recent research push into biotech improvements. The genetics of yams are the least understood among major staple food crops, partly due to biological restraints. The domestication of wild yam species is ongoing in Africa, further widening the genetic base. As such, this crop has more potential for biotech innovation than any other major staple and efforts to improve the yam’s disease resistance and yield are underway.  

High in protein and potassium, sorghum has been a staple crop in semi-arid areas of Asia and Africa for hundreds of years and millions of people rely upon it. This crop is well-liked by subsistence farmers due to its ability to thrive in harsh environments where other crops grow poorly or fail. It is the only viable grain and plant protein for many of the world’s most food-insecure people.  

Most varieties are heat- and drought-tolerant, while higher-yielding dwarf varieties have seen increasing commercial production in countries like the United States.

Combining these varieties with modern crop protection and smart water management can see yields increase by as much as eight times.  

Sorghum’s natural qualities make it ideally suited for drought-susceptible regions, with climate change expected to further enhance its status as one of the most important cereal crops on the planet. This led to it being selected for biofortification, as natural varieties contain a compound that reduces the body’s ability to use iron and zinc, which can cause anemia. These new varieties tackled this challenge while also gaining beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This is a great example of plant science improving nutrition for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  

With populations and food systems across the world facing the impacts of climate change, combined with the ever-increasing need for farmers to produce more with less, safeguarding staple crops is more important than ever. While “the big four” of maize, rice, wheat and potatoes are caloric powerhouses, other staple crops offer more nutritionally like soybeans, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams and sorghum.

With populations and food systems across the world facing the impacts of climate change, combined with the ever-increasing need for farmers to produce more with less, safeguarding staple crops is more important than ever. While “the big four” of maize, rice, wheat and potatoes are caloric powerhouses, other staple crops offer more nutritionally like soybeans, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams and sorghum.

Feature Section, Latest News

CROPLIFE ASIA ECHOES FAO CALL TO TRANSFORM OUR FOOD SYSTEMS

Highlights need for agricultural innovation in addressing Asia’s growing food security crisis / Helping reach region’s hungry, undernourished

Singapore, 13 July 2021 – With the release of the United Nations (UN) 2021 State of Food Security & Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, CropLife Asia highlighted the need for the region’s food value chain stakeholders to work together in transforming our food systems to better enable food security, improved nutrition, and affordable healthy diets for all.

The challenge of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of ‘zero hunger’ globally by 2030 has grown even more complicated with the broad impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this latest UN report, it is estimated that the number of people affected by hunger worldwide in 2020 was between 720 and 811 million people. This is a marked increase of over 100 million more people than in 2019. The prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) has also climbed up to around 9.9 percent in 2020 compared to 8.4 percent the previous year. This new report also confirms a sadly familiar refrain for Asia: our region is failing to deliver food security for far too many – particularly among the more vulnerable parts of society. Asia continues to be home to the greatest number of undernourished people with 418 million suffering from hunger in 2020.

“The challenge of feeding Asia and the world requires us to explore all possible solutions. This can only be achieved through greater collaboration with others, as multi-stakeholder approaches are crucial for transformation of our food systems.” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director, CropLife Asia. “The plant science industry champions innovation in both crop protection and plant biotech, as well as precision and digital agriculture solutions to benefit both people and the planet.”

“The innovative technologies of the plant science industry have a key role to play, but it is only one part of the solution,” Dr. Tan added. “Ensuring that an ample supply of affordable and nutritious food reaches those who need it most is a shared responsibility. Farmers’ access to innovation is an increasingly crucial component to combatting food insecurity in Asia and around the world.”

Global crop losses due to pests and disease are a major contributor to global food loss and waste. These losses would be twice as high without the use of crop protection products. Crop losses can be further reduced through more effective crop protection stewardship practices. Without innovations such as crop protection products and plant biotechnology, global pre-harvest crop losses could double(1). Meanwhile, biotech crops are developed with improved traits such as increased yield, better resistance to pests and/or improved nutrition, among others. These traits are crucial tools that enable farmers to produce more food using fewer resources to feed our growing world.

(1) http://www.croplifeamerica.org/crop-protection/benefits/increase-food-production

About CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry.  We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture.  CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by eight member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development.  For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org.

For more information, please contact:

Duke Hipp
Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
CropLife Asia
Tel: +65 6221 1615
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org

Latest News

HOW PLANT SCIENCE IS SUPPORTING THE PLANET’S POLLINATORS

By: CropLife International

Download the full infographic here.

The relationship between pollinators and agriculture is one of the most vital on the planet. Many of the crops we rely on to feed our growing populations would be impossible to produce without pollinators, making them crucial to our food systems.

As such, agricultural techniques that support pollinators and their habitats can play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of our food production. Pollinators are facing a number of challenges, from habitat loss, to the impacts of climate change, disease and other pests.

Plant science innovations and other techniques are helping provide the answers to many of these challenges. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) takes a holistic view of crop protection that limits environmental impact and utilizes agronomic practices such as plant spacing or mulching. Innovations like, GM varieties of plants offer intrinsic pest resistance, limiting the need for control methods, while herbicide resistant crops allow for less tilling of soil, which protects the natural biodiversity of our topsoil.

By looking at some of the world’s most important crop and pollinator relationships we can explore how plant science gives farmers a variety of tools to protect their crops at the same time as supporting pollination. But first, who are the world’s pollinators and exactly how important are they to our food systems?

Farmers are acutely aware of their reliance on pollinators for the success of their crops. They also rely on plant science innovations to protect those crops from pests and ensure the highest possible yields. Luckily, both these vital parts of the agricultural process can support each other as shown by the pollinator partnerships below.

The squash bee is one of many vital species that helps pollinate the summer squash in the U.S. This crop was facing a significant threat from the zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). Plant science again came to the rescue with a ZYMV-resistant variety of the summer squash.

ZYMV is spread by Aphid populations so before the introduction of the GM squash, farmers were tackling the virus by limiting ‘green bridges’. These connecting sections of local wild vegetation were being used by aphids to move between crops. Removal of these natural spaces, however, had the consequence of limiting squash bee ranges and habitats. The GM summer squash reduced the need for this control method, allowing squash bees to enjoy more wild spaces and to move freely between and pollinate many different fields of crops.

Cocoa is facing significant challenges. Increased problems related to pests are having impacts on yield, with 30-40% of global production affected. Climate change and habitat erosion are affecting chocolate midge populations. As one of the only species small enough to successfully pollinate cocoa, any reduction in chocolate midge populations leads to a significant pollinator gap developing.

Using IPM to reduce impacts of attempts to control pests can help support pollinator populations. Alternative control methods such as use of natural predators and sex pheromones to limit mirid populations can tackle pests without affecting pollinator partnerships.

Similarly, to its work in protecting the papaya and the summer squash, plant science may hold the long-term solution. Work is currently underway on creating new pest-resistant GM varieties that could make a big difference to cocoa production.

Strawberries can be pollinated by a diverse range of pollinators. In fact, strawberry fields that have a variety of pollinators show increased size, boosting yields. With this in mind, pest control methods must be as carefully implemented as possible to avoid disrupting these relationships.

Integrated Pest Management can have positive impacts for many crops, but for fruit with complex needs like strawberries it is particularly effective. Innovations include the deployment of natural predators for pests like mites and using tractor-mounted vacuums for managing species with no useable natural predators. Light traps have also been installed to counter butterfly pest populations without impacting on insect pollinators.

A key tool for farmers is the development of innovative biological products that are derived from fungi, bacteria and plants. Able to be integrated seamlessly with traditional crop protection methods, biologicals can increase crop yields and quality. They are able to target pest species such as aphids and whitefly, while having negligible impact on pollinators such as honeybees and wasps.

The hawkmoth is a key pollinator of papaya. Back in the late 1990s, Hawaii’s papaya crops were being devastated by the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and the island was facing the potential end of all papaya production. PRSV is transmitted to papaya plants via insects feeding on its leaves. This meant farmers were faced with the difficult task of tackling an insect-transmitted virus on a crop that relied upon insect pollination.

Traditional attempts to prevent the spread of PRSV could have had negative long-term impacts on the native hawkmoth population. Thankfully, plant science had the solution. Identifying the gene that would make papaya plants resistant to PRSV, plant scientists created new varieties of papaya called Rainbow and SunUp. These new types of papaya, combined with pest control methods that support pollinators, had positive knock-on effects for hawkmoths. This allows the pollinator relationship to flourish and ensures the ongoing health of Hawaii’s papaya farms.

The symbiotic relationship between farmers, their crops and the world’s pollinator species, is one of the most powerful in the world. Giving farmers access to the full agricultural toolkit allows them the flexibility to combat pests, while limiting impacts on biodiversity and supporting the world’s pollinators.