Control Insect Pests

About

Opportunity An environmentally-friendly bio-pesticide for controlling insect pests in agriculture. Farmers require pest control agents that can effectively control agricultural, and therefore economically important, pests as well as reduce the exposure of plants to hazardous insecticides. Most chemical insecticides used can be harmful to the environment and the ecology of the system in which they are applied. Furthermore, if the chemical insecticides are not applied or disposed correctly, they can also be dangerous to the user and to human health in general. Wits researchers have developed a bio-pesticide which is useful in integrated insect pest management programmes to eradicate specific pest targets.  Effective and safe control of such pests results in higher crop yields for farmers and healthier produce, meaning more affordable, consumer-acceptable crops. Key Benefits A species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticide No negative environmental impacts Similar efficacy and potency to conventional chemical insecticides Not harmful to humans or other non-target organisms Current Status The pesticide has been tested on a pilot scale and was found to be highly effective against the African bollworm Applications Pesticides against economically important insect pests and disease vectors Registered Intellectual Property Status The technology is the subject of granted patents in South African and ARIPO. Lifetime of patent remaining: 13 years  Likely Route to Market The technology would ideally be commercialised via a start-up company.  Business Plan in Place A business plan has been developed by the principal researcher.  This business plan won 3rd place in the 2012 GAP Biosciences competition. Entrepreneur Identified The principle researcher, Gustav Bouwer has indicated an interest in starting a company, together with partners (if applicable). Funding/Licensee Required Funders are sought to partner Wits in setting up a production facility. The business plan outlines funding requirements.