Smarter, Safer and Sustainable | New Precision Crop Protection Workgroup

By Elise-Marie Steenkamp

The agricultural sector is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability, and the launch of the Hortgro Science Precision Crop Protection Workgroup (PCPW) signals a step in this direction. Earlier this year, a diverse group of scientists, industry stakeholders, and researchers convened for the inaugural meeting of this new workgroup under the Hortgro Science Crop Protection Programme.

The PCPW has a clear vision aligned with crop protection research: to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of crop protection strategies while maintaining production efficacy and profitability.

Core Themes

The group will focus on several key themes, including:

• Minimising Chemical Inputs: The team defined agricultural “inputs” and aligned on focusing specifically on crop protection substances, excluding fertilisers or water use. The PCPW will aim for fewer inputs, utilising data gathered from diverse and alternative tools, and focusing on more innovative, science-based applications to enhance both sustainability and efficiency.
• Spray Drift and Precision Application: With no clear guidelines currently in place for South Africa, the workgroup looked toward EU models as potential references. Discussions emphasised the potential of drift-reducing technologies already used abroad and their possible application in local contexts, especially under netting structures.
• Environmental and Human Health: The workgroup reaffirmed its commitment to responsible operational and other practices on-farm and in the packhouse, including continued investigation into sustainable crop protection solutions.
• Monitoring Insecticide Resistance: The group acknowledged the importance of ongoing resistance monitoring in alignment with international standards, such as those established by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC). The PCPW will strive for enhanced collaboration among industry, researchers, agrochemical companies, and the public.

Research Needs & Opportunities

The PCPW outlined several areas for research and innovation. Some of these are:

• Defining pest and disease thresholds for better decision-making.
• Investigating the effect of nets on chemical residue levels, spray drift and efficacy of treatments.
• Economic evaluation of reduced chemical input strategies.
• Evaluating alternative sanitation options for packhouses.

 Communication

As important as research is, the ability to share findings effectively is equally crucial. The group identified the urgent need for:

• Guidelines on pest monitoring and inoculum management.
• Communication materials highlighting the risks of irresponsible chemical use.
• Spray drift reduction protocols tailored for South African needs.
• A classification system for sprayers and available technologies.

Looking Ahead

The inaugural meeting identified the most critical needs to align industry practices with national and international consumer and market expectations. Stay tuned for updates as this team continues its work toward smarter, safer, and sustainable crop protection solutions.

Read it in Afrikaans here: PCP_afrikaans