The 12th Development Consortium (DevCon) for the CABI BioProtection Portal was held on May 8th, 2025. It brought together members, representing a variety of public and private organisations, associations and companies worldwide, to share progress, exchange insights, and set the stage for future growth.
Our biggest turnout was an incredible milestone reflecting the energy and commitment of our growing community. It reflects the extraordinary work being done and our members’ enthusiasm for being a part of this unique public-private partnership initiative. The meeting demonstrates the Portal’s continued global momentum.
CABI’s Executive Director – Global Operations, Ulli Kuhlmann welcomed attendees with an update on the Portal’s reach, which now spans 49 countries and features over 4,300 registered products available in 17 local languages plus English. New partners and sponsors were introduced, including PJ Margo, IPL Biologicals, Red Chilena de Bioinsumos, and VeraPhages.
Member spotlight: Andermatt Canada
Guest presenter Kathleen Ireland of Andermatt Canada discussed how the Portal supports her team’s efforts in sustainable agriculture. This includes tracking pest trends, such as the cabbage looper, and informing sales and marketing decisions. She commended the Portal’s user-friendly interface and encouraged members to engage with CABI through newsletters, social media, and co-branded campaigns.
Portal enhancements and promotion
Recent portal updates were announced, including new country launches in South Africa, the Philippines, and Belgium, with several more in the pipeline. The expanded member area, now available to all members, was also demonstrated. Finally, the growth in website traffic and ongoing marketing strategies were presented.
India case study on chilli thrips
A powerful case study from India, shared by Malvika Chaudhary, demonstrated how the Portal was utilised via a mass extension campaign to combat chilli thrips. The campaign reached approximately 8,000 direct users through digital tools and stakeholder workshops and impacted 27,000 farmers. A follow up study will assess any measurable improvements in awareness and adoption of bioprotection by growers and advisors.
New intelligence services
An exciting development was introduced to the DevCon members: a new bespoke service offering Market Insight Reports. These custom reports will draw on Portal data, user analytics, and other relevant CABI resources to help identify market gaps, regulatory trends, and regional pest- or crop-specific opportunities. Designed as a paid service, the reports will be tailored to individual member needs and can support various strategic objectives, from business development to regulatory planning. This new offering represents a valuable way for members to harness the rich data the Portal generates.
Interactive discussions and member insights
One of the highlights of the meeting was the discussion, where members asked questions and shared ideas. Topics raised included strategies for engaging pesticide retailers, the potential development of a biopesticide index for Africa, and how to measure the uptake of products among farmers.
These contributions embody the consortium’s collaborative spirit and the shared commitment to enhance and develop the Portal.
Looking ahead
The meeting concluded with a discussion of upcoming priorities and actions in preparation for the next DevCon meeting, which will take place in October, coinciding with the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting in Basel, Switzerland. As the CABI BioProtection Portal grows, these meetings remain vital for fostering collective learning, driving innovation, and strengthening partnerships to support sustainable agriculture. They also help ensure that the Portal remains aligned with real-world needs of farmers and advisors – enabling them to produce safely, sustainably and profitably.
