OREANDA-NEWS. The world is faced with a pressing need to enhance agricultural productivity to address concerns over food shortages caused by a rapid increase in the population. Pest control technology based on pheromones is attracting attention as a solution with low environmental impact.

Enhancing agricultural productivity without harming the environment or health

To cope with food shortages, agricultural productivity needs to be enhanced on a global basis. The use of agricultural chemicals is an effective measure to increase productivity, but given the recent rise in environmental awareness, methods of raising productivity with low environmental impact are called for. Summit Agro International Ltd. strives to promote agricultural chemicals with low environmental impact through the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s agricultural chemicals marketing network covering over 30 countries. In addition, the company provides customers with guidance on how to use the chemicals appropriately, contributing to boosting agricultural productivity.

In recent years, Summit Agro International has been placing a particular focus on encouraging the use of products based on a new concept known as integrated pest management (IPM), the aims of which are to minimize the impact of pest control activities on the environment by leveraging beneficial insects and physical means in combination with agricultural chemicals.

Proposing pheromone agents while maintaining close communications with local farmers

One example of IPM-based initiatives is our effort to broadly promote the use of pheromone agents developed by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. The idea is to artificially synthesize sex pheromones, chemical scents released by female pests to attract their male counterparts, and scatter them around agricultural land to prevent the males from finding the females, thereby hindering mating, preventing the occurrence of caterpillars damaging the fruits and lowering the population density of the next generation. The synthetic pheromones have no impact on beneficial insects or the surrounding environment.

Pheromone-based pest control needs to be practiced correctly in ways that suit each farming environment. The Sumitomo Corporation Group therefore emphasizes ongoing communications with local farmers, providing finely tuned advice with the aim of creating environments where the effects of IPM can be maximized.

The above initiative has been successful. In France, since the pheromone-based agent was registered as a product in 2000, it has been adopted by an increasing number of farmers, largely apple growers. In 2015, the agent was used in around 60% of the country’s apple acreage. Based on our trustful relationship fostered with the farmers, the Group will continue to focus on promoting the agent to achieve wider adoption for sustainable agriculture.