We are excited to announce that the CABI BioProtection Portal – the go-to information resource on biological control of pests – has launched in المجر, adding to the growing number of countries where this innovative online bioprotection resource is available.
Like many in Europe, Hungarian farmers find the phasing out of certain synthetic pesticides to be a real challenge and are looking for alternative, non-chemical pest control solutions. Hungary’s thriving farming sector contributes significantly to its Gross Domestic Product (3.5% in 2019), and for those looking for sustainable agricultural and horticultural approaches, the CABI BioProtection Portal can provide critical information about biopesticides in Hungary.
The launch builds on CABI’s long-standing relationship with Hungary. CABI has been collaborating with Hungarian universities, research institutes and plant health authorities for many years on biological control of pests. The organization has also been running a collaborative research laboratory at the plant protection directorate in Hodmezovasarhely in southern Hungary since 2000.
Increasingly, evidence shows that certain kinds of chemical pesticides in agriculture create serious problems for the environment and human health. The CABI BioProtection Portal is particularly useful for growers looking for non-chemical pest control approaches that reduce pressures on the environment as well as satisfy consumer demands for healthier and safer food and meet export or market standards.
The portal provides users with up-to-date information on nationally registered and available bioprotection products. Accessible on multiple devices and in local languages, including Hungarian, the portal helps growers and agricultural advisors to identify, source and correctly apply biocontrols and biopesticides in Hungary for their specific crop-pest problems. The recently launched new portal website also makes this online resource even more user-friendly.
The launch in Hungary is a valuable step for the portal’s growth, helping visitors in their journey towards sustainable agricultural and pest control approaches.
Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann, Executive Director, Global Operations at CABI said: “It is a real pleasure to see Hungary included on the CABI BioProtection Portal, further expanding the geographical reach of this information resource across Europe. We hope that growers and advisors in Hungary see value in this information resource and use it regularly to enhance their knowledge on biological control options and guide their pest management decisions.”
“Our goal is for the portal to increase awareness and uptake of more sustainable approaches to pest management globally. The current widespread use of chemical pesticides to fight crop pests alone is not sustainable either economically or environmentally, especially when you factor impacts exacerbated by climate change.”
“CABI is helping growers to adapt through projects that apply, among other things, our expertise in digital development and crop health, as well as products like the CABI BioProtection Portal which promote biological approaches to pest management.”
Dr Stefan Toepfer, biocontrol scientist at CABI and head of the Hungarian laboratory, said: “It is nice to see that Hungary has joined the CABI BioProtection Portal initiative. I believe Hungary as a country with diverse agricultural production systems and diverse groups of farming enterprises has much to offer. I anticipate Hungarian agricultural extension services may use the portal as a major reference when it comes to environmentally-friendly plant protection.”
