Sustainability Issues: Safety and Health, Water, Waste, Energy, and Civic Engagement

Chemical insecticide use for farming spans safety and health, water, waste, energy, and civic engagement issues with an emphasis on the former issues.

Across the globe, chemical insecticides are used for commercial farming to prevent insects. The use of chemicals on farms is harmful for the environment, animals and people. Farmers must control and thwart of pests, because pests-or destructive insects- can cause damage to crops, property, and equipment, among other things. Needless to say, curbing pests is crucial for successful agriculture.

Technology: BigSis Solution

Article: http://bigsis.tech/solutions/

• BigSis technology offers an alternative to chemical insecticide treatment for many sectors, including agriculture
• This environmentally-friendly technology can reduce the cost of traditional chemical insecticides-known as sterile insect technique (SIT)- by 90% per hectare, while simultaneously treating the environment better
• SIT acts to rear and release sterile male insects, which mate with wild females resulting in fewer fertile eggs. This method has proven to prevent and reduce target species such as agricultural pests and mosquitoes
• The technology is supported by artificial intelligence and automation capabilities
• SIT is non-toxic and involves no genetic modification, which is compatible with organic agriculture and results in reduced regulatory implications

Stakeholders:

-Commercial Farmers

-Agricultural Regulators

-USDA, EPA, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

-Agricultural Service Providers

-Consumers

Implementation:

1. Collect results from field trials and continue to expand field trials into new geographies.
2. Evaluate field trial results so far. Based on results, target technology expansion- from 4 states and England- into broader markets.
3. Assess the trial results to plan and prepare partnerships and marketing to start to grow product awareness. Lastly, use the trial results to begin to prepare logistics for more widespread deployment.

Other Sources:

• https://www.safeguardpestcontrol.co.uk/impact-pests-agriculture-industry/