M2i Group launches an innovative solution against the Fall Armyworm in maize in Zambia

The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major threat to agriculture worldwide. This rapidly proliferating pest particularly targets essential cereal crops such as maize, and seriously compromises global food security.

Originating in the USA, the Fall Armyworm has proliferated exponentially on the African continent, where its massive invasion has caused extremely serious agricultural losses. In Zambia, where maize is the cornerstone of food security with over 1.4 million hectares under cultivation, repeated infestations of Fall Armyworm are causing alarming yield reductions, with the maize harvest in 2023/2024 reaching its lowest level for 16 years.

© M2i Group

Zambia, a country hard hit by this plague, affecting more than 279,843 farms and damaging 222,586 hectares, is now benefiting from the deployment of a pioneering solution developed by M2i Group, the European leader in biocontrol. This biocontrol solution combines agronomic performance with respect for the environment, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional insecticides.

Frugiperda Pro Press+^®, an innovative solution against the Fall Army Worm, is a mating disruption* method specific to this insect pest. By limiting encounters, and therefore mating, this biocontrol solution will disrupt the insect's reproductive cycle and ultimately reduce its presence in crops.

Frugiperda Pro Press+    © M2i Group

M2i Group therefore offers this biocontrol product based on the use of pheromones. This approach is non-toxic and selective, unlike conventional insecticides, which affect a wide range of species. M2i's Frugiperda Pro Press+^® solution targets FAW exclusively, preserving the auxiliary insects and pollinators essential to agricultural ecosystems. What's more, optimised for Zambia's climatic and agronomic conditions, this solution is designed to be easily adopted by local farmers, guaranteeing effective and sustainable implementation.

This biocontrol product is available in two application formats to meet the needs of farmers. It can be used in sprayable form using conventional nozzles, guaranteeing even, effective coverage over large areas. For more targeted applications or on smaller and non-mechanized plots, it can also be delivered as a gel with a manual device. This versatility makes it ideal for all types of fields, from large-scale operations to smaller-scale cultivation.

Drawing on its expertise in biocontrol and its commitment to more environmentally friendly agriculture, M2i is working to offer effective, sustainable solutions. Our product can be applied as a stand-alone solution under low or middle pest pressure but can also be combined with conventional treatments. In such a context, Frugiperda Pro Press+^® improved drastically the efficacy of conventional treatment while reducing the potential pest resistance development. 

MD = M2i product

TRIAL RESULTS, Pest damages & yield assessment - South Africa 2023/24

Approved and registered since the end of 2024 in Zambia it will be locally distributed by Bancella Ltd. This product will be also registered in Q2 2025 in Brazil, South Africa and Zimbabwe where it will also be distributed by Bancella LtD.

Mating disruption* : Pheromones are odours naturally emitted by insects to communicate with each other. By reproducing them identically in the laboratory using a biomimetic process and then diffusing them in the plots to be treated, we can trap, repel or disorientate insect pests and prevent damage without using conventional pesticides. By depositing pheromone diffusion points in the plot to be treated, male insects can be prevented from locating their females. This is known as ‘mating disruption’, and it prevents their reproduction, proliferation and damage! It's a natural solution, certified for organic farming. This biocontrol approach guarantees complete crop protection throughout the season, while limiting the use of conventional insecticides.