Syngenta Biologicals and Provivi have announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize new pheromone-based biological solutions for pest control in corn and rice, crops that feed 3.5 billion people globally.
Syngenta Crop Protection AG, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is a leader in agricultural innovation, offering a portfolio of crop protection solutions and digital tools to enhance farmers’ decision-making capabilities. The company operates in over 90 countries and is part of the Syngenta Group.
Provivi, based in Santa Monica, California, develops scalable and safer insect control technologies targeting destructive agricultural pests worldwide. The company utilizes Nobel prize-winning technologies to produce affordable pheromone-based solutions for preventive pest control. Provivi has operations in Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, and Europe.
The collaboration focuses on two innovative products: the Yellow Stem Borer(YSB) Eco-Dispenser for India and Indonesia, and the Fall Armyworm(FAW) Eco-Granules for Thailand. Both products are made from biodegradable materials and offer enhanced efficacy, longer duration, and improved environmental sustainability. They are scheduled to be available to farmers starting in 2026.
Pheromones are natural signaling compounds that control pests by disrupting their mating behaviors. These non-toxic, species-specific solutions prevent pest reproduction without harming beneficial insects and pollinators, thereby supporting biodiversity. The use of pheromones in integrated pest management programs offers highly specific target activity and a preventive mode of action.
Jonathan Brown, global head of biologicals and seedcare at Syngenta, said, “Farmers need solutions that effectively address pest pressure while ensuring sustainability on their farms, particularly as pest threats evolve with climate change. We’re proud to work together with Provivi to deliver the next-generation in pheromone-based biocontrols that target farmer key pest challenges.”
The Yellow Stem Borer and Fall Armyworm are among the most destructive agricultural pests, threatening various crops and impacting farmers’ livelihoods and food security. YSB, the dominant rice pest in Asia, can attack rice crops throughout different growth stages, resulting in significant yield losses. FAW, which was discovered in Thailand in late 2018, has caused corn yields to fall by up to 40% in some cases, severely impacting the country’s economy.
This expanded collaboration builds on Syngenta and Provivi’s previous partnership, which introduced the pheromone-based technology NELVIUM® to Indonesia for rice stem borer control. The initiative aligns with Syngenta’s sustainability priorities, aiming to accelerate crop productivity while reducing environmental impact through more sustainable technologies.
Pedro Coelho, chief business officer at Provivi® noted, “Pheromone-based solutions are non-toxic and species-specific, and safeguard biodiversity by preserving beneficial insects and pollinators. We are excited to work again with Syngenta to broaden the offer of pheromone-based solutions available to farmers in Asia.”
