Picture : The tests, which were jointly carried out with Agroscope, focused on strawberry crops due to their high susceptibility to fungal diseases like gray mold.

Weaponizing the natural pollination process of bees to combat pests and reduce the use of pesticides is the principle behind a major farming innovation developed by Bee Vectoring Technology (BVT). In February 2020, the Canadian company, which is now the global leader in its field, opened its European office at the AgriCo site in the canton of Fribourg. Christoph Lehnen, Managing Director of BVT in Switzerland explains how the technology works, “At the heart of our patented system is our proprietary inoculant which attaches itself to the feet and body of the bees as they leave the hive. As these industrious insects go about their work, they distribute the natural pesticide over the crops. This specific strain of fungus is not harmful to bees or future consumers but is highly effective against certain diseases like gray mold.”

To optimize its distribution process, BVT works closely with Agroscope, the Swiss center of excellence for agricultural research. “Their genetic analyses enable us to determine the quantity of natural fungicide that is effectively present in treated fields. Our shared aim is to develop a rapid detection kit. Lehnen is very hopeful that the process will quickly take off in Europe. “Our solution has less impact on the environment than traditional crop spraying, delivers better quality and much larger crop yields. We are already in talks with several companies who are looking to adapt their existing pest control technology.”