Growers nowadays are facing many challenges, constantly adapting to changing conditions. One of these challenges is managing pest and disease pressure while maintaining productivity and considering the strict regulations regarding chemical pesticide usage and maximum residue levels. Fortunately, biological crop protection offers a sustainable solution that maximizes flexibility for growers and helps meet these increasing challenges.
Maximize yields and quality
Biological crop protection, unlike chemical alternatives, leaves minimal to no residues, eliminating obliged pre-harvest intervals. Chemical pesticide treatments often require waiting periods ranging from a few days to several weeks or months.
By not having this limitation when using biological crop protection, growers can manage pests and diseases close to harvest, leading to increased yields, improved crop quality, and, ultimately, higher prices and turnover.
Efficient labor and logistics
Labor availability is an increasing problem for many growers worldwide. Availability can fluctuate due to shortages, competing demands, and regulations. By applying biocontrol solutions, growers are more flexible in adapting their harvesting schedules based on labor availability, ensuring efficient and timely harvesting operations.
Harvesting involves labor and various logistical factors, such as transportation, storage, and processing. Flexibility allows growers to coordinate these activities more effectively, optimizing efficiency and reducing bottlenecks in the supply chain.
Enhancing profitability
Market demand for fruit and vegetables can fluctuate throughout the harvesting season. Being flexible in harvest allows growers to respond to shifts in demand, ensuring that crops are harvested and available when market conditions are most favorable, thereby maximizing profitability.
Harvesting flexibility
Weather conditions can significantly impact the moment of harvest. Unforeseen events like rain, storms, or unexpected temperature fluctuations may delay harvesting schedules. Or even mean that growers have to start the harvest earlier than planned. By not having to consider a pre-harvest interval, growers can adjust their plans in response to these changing weather conditions, minimizing the risk of crop damage or loss.
Biological crop protection offers many advantages. No chemical residues and no pre-harvest intervals will offer growers flexibility and help them be in control of their moment of harvest, maximizing yield and quality.