Brazil have first hub specializing in technologies for biological pest control

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Koppert Biological Systems launched, in October, the activities of the first hub specializing in technologies aimed at biological control in the country. 

Named “Gazebo”, the initiative will bring together ideas, startups, companies and research institutions that develop solutions applying to the integrated management of pests and diseases in tropical agriculture, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

The hub hosts, in partnership with the technological center SPARCBio (São Paulo Advanced Research Center for Biological Control), innovation initiatives that include tools for the correct adoption of biodefensives in agriculture. With Gazebo, Koppert will be with mentoring and development of business plans, funding and concept tests of solutions applied to biological control, and validating technologies in the field.

SPARCBio is located on the campus of ESALQ/USP (Higher School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz) and already works intensively with lines of research on new biological products. A partnership between Koppert, FAPESP and ESALQ, it is the largest center dedicated to the development of bio-inputs in Latin America.

According to the Commercial Director of Koppert, Gustavo Ranzani Herrmann, the structuring of the Gazebo has the support of corporate venture capital funds already established in the market or to be structured by the company itself. "We intend to foster strategic partnerships that expand the advance in innovation and sustainability in the area of biological control, to promote the greater adoption of these technologies by Brazilian farmers."

The equipment company Jacto also partners Gazebo in technological development aimed at the application and release of biodefensives, as well as the AgTech Garage. “AgTech Garage will act as a convergent entity for agribusiness startups, enhancing our access to the innovation ecosystem, in addition to hosting the hub in this first phase”, explained Gazebo's innovation leader, Renata Morelli.

Gazebo already has its first resident startup, e-Trap, which is developing a digital solution for remote monitoring of pests, which will allow greater efficiency in decision making, facilitating the integration of biological solutions to the integrated management of pests and diseases for different cultures.

Startups interested in partnerships with Gazebo should sign up for the calls and challenges that will be launched in 2021, and which will be announced on the website www.gazebo.agr.br and on the digital media of Koppert and AgTech Garage.