Itxaso Mora, project monitor, visits Tecnova to review advancements in biopesticide research and validation
Brussels, March 13th, 2025. On Wednesday, March 12, the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project welcomed Itxaso Mora, the monitor of this initiative funded by the European Union’s LIFE program. During the visit, Mora toured the facilities of the Tecnova Technology Center in Almería, one of the project’s consortium partners, accompanied by Carlos Ramos, Operations Manager at Fumi-Hogar, the project’s leading company. The other partners participated remotely to discuss the latest progress and challenges of the project.
This monitoring visit provided a comprehensive review of the achievements made across the different areas of the project, which focuses on developing natural biopesticides derived from plant extracts to control whitefly and botrytis in greenhouse horticultural crops. Key aspects addressed included project management and coordination, biopesticide research and validation, environmental and socio-economic assessments, regulatory framework and commercial viability, communication and dissemination strategies, as well as the scalability and replicability of the results achieved so far.
With a total budget of €2,758,921.01, 60 percent of which is funded by the European Union’s LIFE program, LIFE NextFUMIGREEN aims to provide an innovative and sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides, contributing to a safer and more environmentally friendly agricultural sector.
The project consortium consists of Fumi-Hogar, the project leader responsible for developing and applying the biopesticides; Tecnova, in charge of technical validation and greenhouse research; Finnova Foundation, specializing in communication, dissemination, and securing European funding; B&B Asesores, dedicated to project management and regulatory compliance; Comercial Química Massó, focused on the commercial viability and distribution of the products; and BrioAgro Tech, providing technology for monitoring, optimizing biopesticide use, and digitizing agricultural processes.
The development of these natural biopesticides represents a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of plant protection treatments, offering farmers safer and more effective tools for pest and disease control in their crops. Additionally, the project contributes to the ecological transition promoted by the European Union, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal and the “Farm to Fork” strategy.
For more information about the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project, visit the official website: https://lifefumigreen.finnova.eu/