Programme integrates IPM and advance soil health strategies for a more sustainable farming model
Spanish biotech startup Veganic has launched Veganic Food Care, a new strategic project developed together with producers, supermarkets and distribution chains to promote safer, more sustainable food aligned with evolving consumer expectations.
The programme is based on the implementation of comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols and advanced soil health strategies to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, improve the environmental impact of agricultural production, strengthen food safety, and support farmers in adopting production models based on biological control and soil microbiota enhancement.
“All of this contributes to increasing the productivity and final quality of fruits and vegetables within a framework of technical and scientific collaboration,” the company said.
Through its new, collaborative model, Veganic is seeking to connect growers, distributors and supermarkets to facilitate regulatory compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), reduce reputational risks across the food chain, and ensure greater consistency and traceability in fruit and vegetable supply. The aim is to integrate customised agronomic management programmes designed by Veganic’s technical team together with partner growers and implemented directly on farms.
The system combines biocontrol tools, integrated pest management strategies and soil microbiota improvement (aligned with the Veganic Planet Care project), enabling a transition toward agriculture with lower dependence on synthetic chemical products and improved resistance management for certain pests and diseases.
“For supermarkets and distribution chains, the model provides key advantages such as compliance assurance with regulatory requirements and MRLs; reduced risk of commercial rejection and reputational issues; greater consistency and traceability within the supply base; and alignment with sustainability and quality standards,” Veganic said.
“Field implementation is managed by Veganic’s specialised technical team together with the agronomists responsible for each farm. In this way, retailers can ensure production aligned with their standards without having to directly manage the technical operations on farms.”
At its Open Days in Almería in February, Veganic presented the results of a trial growing snack cucumbers under its new system. According to the company, the results showed significant improvements in sustainability and agronomic efficiency, including a 55 per cent reduction in the use of synthetic chemical products, while maintaining the same level of efficacy in pest and disease control. Moreover, there were ten times fewer residues at harvest, a 60 per cent reduction in environmental impact and the use of chemical active ingredients and a 13 per cent increase in yield, Veganic claimed.
“All this demonstrates a clear improvement in farmer profitability with a positive ROI of nearly €1 per square metre. These results show that it is possible to move toward more sustainable production systems while maintaining – and even improving – the competitiveness of farmers,” Veganic said.
With the launch of Veganic Food Care, the company said it was reinforcing its commitment to promoting agricultural models that contribute to safer, more transparent and more responsible food systems, aligned with the current demands of consumers, retailers and regulators.
