A new biopesticides project, supported by the Croda Foundation, has launched in Chile and is already making an impact. Focused on potato farming in remote areas of the country, the project combines on-the-ground training with digital tools. It aims to improve crop protection practices, boost sustainability, and strengthen farmers’ knowledge.
Practical training meets digital tools
Over the three-year initiative, CABI and partners aim to equip Chilean potato farmers and advisors with practical knowledge and resources to tackle common and regional challenges. This includes:
- Enhancing understanding of safe pesticide use
- Introducing biopesticides as alternatives to chemical inputs
- Providing access to reliable digital information
During a recent visit, CABI held five workshops across three targeted regions, two in the south of Chile and one in the north. These sessions brought together around 130 farmers and agricultural advisors for hands-on learning experiences. Each workshop featured presentations, sprayer calibration demos, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations of how to use the CABI BioProtection Portal and the enfermedadespapa digital platforms.
Targeted solutions for local challenges
The project’s early focus has been foundational training in pesticide safety and risk reduction, paired with an introduction to biopesticides. The project also addresses specific issues affecting potato production in different parts of Chile.
- Southern Chile: The primary concern is late blight, a destructive disease caused by the microorganism Phytophthora infestans. This fungus is a priority target because it spreads rapidly and has the potential to devastate yields.
- Northern Chile: The Andean potato weevil (Premnotrypes spp.) is a challenge for farmers in this region. It is a persistent pest that can significantly reduce crop quality and marketability.
What’s next?
Year one of the project is centred on building capacity through workshops and digital training. In years two and three, the initiative will expand to include farmer open days at integrated pest management (IPM) field trials in southern Chile. These events will allow farmers and advisors to see sustainable crop protection strategies in action.
Meanwhile, research teams at CABI and Chilean laboratories are conducting scientific studies to explore new microbial candidates for biopesticide development. This ensures that the latest science backs the knowledge shared on the ground.
Measuring impact
To gauge the project’s success, the team will track changes in farmer awareness, behaviour, and practices related to pesticide safety, biopesticide adoption, and control of key pests and diseases. The goal is a tangible shift towards more sustainable and informed decision-making in potato farming.
The role of the CABI BioProtection Portal
The Portal is playing a key role in this transformation. As a free, easy-to-use online tool, the Portal helps farmers and advisors identify safe and effective biological control options for their crops and region. With continued use and training, the Portal is set to become a trusted resource in the Chilean agricultural community.
This collaborative effort highlights the power of combining local engagement with accessible tools. It is helping to ensure that even the most remote farming communities have access to the resources they need for a safer, more sustainable future.
