Know more

Registration is open for the International Scientific Workshop "Diversifying Business Models for Biocontrol Deployment" organised by the French Priority Research Programme "Growing and Protecting crops Differently" (PPR CPA). 

Registration link: click here

Description and objectives:

Biological control strategies range from the use of organisms or natural substances to the management of ecological infrastructures promoting pest control services provided by resident biodiversity. The implementation of these strategies relies on different types of economic actors, different tools offered to farmers (products, services), different modes of financing and require a variety of interactions between stakeholders. In other words, biocontrol can use a diversity of business models. Large-scale use of biocontrol is highly dependent on the fit between business models and the socioeconomic context.

The currently dominant business model in biocontrol, derived from agrochemistry, corresponds to the use of products manufactured by the upstream industry and sold to growers. This business model, which mobilizes a very narrow part of the agribusiness value chain, is not adapted to all biocontrol strategies (e.g. conservation or establishment biocontrol) and displays limitations in terms of potential for large-scale deployment.

In this conference, we will provide an overview of the diversity of business models used worldwide for the different types of biocontrol strategies (together with autocidal control and scouting activities supporting biocontrol), discuss their pros and cons, evaluate their potential for wider deployment and discuss the way public and private policies can facilitate their implementation.

Draft programme: click here

After an introductory session, each plenary session will focus on a specific type of biocontrol strategy. The speakers will present examples of existing business models for this type strategy, and will reflect on the limits and development opportunities for such business models.

Wednesday May 31, 2023

Session 1 - Introductory Session: What are business models and why they are key for the future deployment of biocontrol?

Session 2 - Business models used in biocontrol strategies based on repeated releases of organisms or substances

Thursday June 01, 2023

Session 3 - Business models used in conservation biocontrol   

Session 4 - Business models used in establishment biocontrol

Session 5 - Business models used in autocidal control

Session 6 - Strategies and business models for scouting and monitoring activities supporting biocontrol deployment

Conclusion of the day