On Wednesday, October 16, the consortium of the LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN project held a virtual meeting to discuss upcoming actions and assess the progress made toward the development of sustainable agricultural solutions.
The meeting brought together project partners, including Carlos Ramos, Operations Manager at FumiHogar and consortium leader; Abel Zaragoza, Semioquímicos Development Manager at Comercial Massó; Marta Bachs, consultant at B&B Asesores; José Luis Bustos, CEO of Brioagro; Adrián Noheda, Project Manager at the Finnova Foundation, and representatives from the Tecnova team, among others.
LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN, funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, aims to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by developing natural and biotechnological fumigants for effective pest control in crops. This innovative approach seeks to offer eco-friendly alternatives that contribute to both sustainability and food security—critical issues amid today’s climate crisis.
During the meeting, partners discussed the next steps for testing natural fumigants in greenhouses, as well as strategies for scaling and replicating the project’s solutions. Other key topics were addressed to ensure progress and alignment with the project’s goals, ensuring its impact on the agricultural sector.
The project remains aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal, contributing to the ecological transition of agriculture—an increasingly urgent challenge to address the climate crisis and ensure the sustainability of food systems.
Coinciding with World Food Day
Although the meeting was not directly linked to World Food Day, the timing underscored the significance of LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN’s work in a sector facing significant challenges. On October 16, the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) highlighted the need for more sustainable food systems. This year, FAO emphasized that by 2050, the world will need to increase food production by 60% to meet the demands of a growing population. Meanwhile, around one-third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, exacerbating the food security crisis.
By creating natural fumigants derived from plant extracts, the LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN project directly contributes to reducing chemical pesticide use, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening food security in Europe. These efforts are essential for the transition to a greener, more sustainable agriculture that not only reduces environmental impact but also ensures safe, accessible food for future generations.
About LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN
The European LIFE NEXT FUMIGREEN project actively promotes food security by developing natural fumigants from plant extracts to control pests in intensive greenhouse horticultural crops. Led by FumiHogar (www.fumi-hogar.com) and supported by the Foundation for Auxiliary Agricultural Technologies (www.fundaciontecnova.com); the Finnova Foundation (www.finnova.eu); B&B Asesores Auditores Ambientales (www.bbasesores.com); Comercial Química Massó (www.cqmasso.com); and BrioAgro Tech (www.brioagro.es), the project has a total budget of €2,758,921.01, with 60% funded by the LIFE Programme.