Agricultural authorities implement biological control strategies in South America

In Mendoza, Argentina, officials from ISCAMEN and the San Martín municipality hosted a delegation of Chilean producers at the Santa Rosa Bioplanta. The visit focused on phytosanitary strategies and sustainable pest control technologies, including the production of sterile insects and cold-adult release methodologies. This technical cooperation, involving the Fruit Development Foundation (FDF), aims to address pests such as Drosophila suzukii through biotechnological tools like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), in coordination with Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).

In Ecuador, Agrocalidad, supported by the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), has implemented biological control measures in the El Oro sector to prevent the spread of Fusarium Raza 4 Tropical (Foc R4T). Technical teams applied Trichoderma, a beneficial fungus, to strengthen plant defenses and compete with pathogens. These efforts are part of a broader inter-institutional strategy to protect the country's musaceae production through enhanced phytosanitary surveillance and biological management alternatives.