Platform10, an international accelerator to promote biologicals development and implementation, was unveiled on Oct. 31 by Western Growers and Wharf42.
“Growers are up against mounting pest and disease challenges due to climate change, reduced efficacy, and diminishing availability of traditional pest control tools,” said Peter Wren-Hilton, Founder and CEO of New Zealand-based consultancy Wharf 42. “The specialty crop industry in particular requires new crop input technologies due to governmental regulations and consumer demands. Bio-based and novel pest control options to address existing and anticipated gaps in pest management are sorely needed to ensure that our growers are properly equipped with the tools to address these challenges.”
At the outset, Platform10 is targeting five key initial specialty crops with high-priority diseases:
Leafy Greens: INSV, Pythium, Thrips
Tomato: Beet leafhopper, Thrips and / or Tomato spotted wilt virus
Grape: Mealy bug, Powdery mildew, Botrytis
Strawberry / Other berries: Lygus bug, Macrophomina, Phytophthora
Citrus: Citrus thrips, Red scale
Eligible product companies to join Platform10 are those:
- addressing the control of pests and diseases in the above crops where current traditional chemical solutions are at risk or have been removed;
- seeking replacements for fumigants, where pest resistance is a serious problem;
- working on there are residue/MRL issues;
- dealing with food channel buyers or export markets are asking to reduce or replace a particular chemical pesticide;
Please download the Platform10 RFP in order to apply and join the accelerator.
The concept for Platform10 was developed at the 2023 Salinas Biologicals Summit; the 2024 edition of the conference will be held on June 25-26, 2024. More information about attending the 2024 Summit can be found here.
