Top Three Issues Facing CROs in Mexico/Central America
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By Renee Targos
Editor
AgriBusiness Global talked with two contract research organization (CRO) experts about CROs responding to formulation challenges coming to Mexico and Central America. Here our two experts give their top three issues that need to be addressed and the two most important added services to CROs in the region for 2024.
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Carmen González Partner and Consultant CROAGRO |
Three Top Issues
- Europe is banning many pesticides used commonly in tropical crops, and thus it becomes urgent to investigate the efficacy of new molecules that are permitted in Europe.
- The protection of bees has become a trend now, so authorities are demanding that new molecules cannot affect them.
- The behavior of pests and diseases is becoming hard to predict, and thus to control, due to the fact that the weather is becoming less stable, and it affects the behavior of pests and diseases directly.
Adding to Services
Biologicals: Evaluating products made of extracts of botanical substances, since markets are also restricting many agrochemical active ingredients.
Maximum Residue Levels: Evaluating residues of active ingredients in produce while evaluating also efficacy, since markets are becoming stricter about MRLs in produce.
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Jorgelina Lezaun CEO and Founder AgriConsult Latam |
Three Top Issues
- Alignment with sustainable agriculture and animal welfare in the implementation of methodologies to promote synergy with the environment.
- Obtaining a complete market understanding and the development of customized agrochemicals and biological tools for local crop protection.
- Bringing a complete and specialized service offerings and support for IPM strategies to satisfy specific needs of small and medium-sized enterprises which need to meet global demand of production under global standards while minimizing economic, health, and environmental risks.
Adding to Services
Innovative Data Management Systems: These are complementary tools to handle the vast amount of information generated during trials and to ensure accuracy, security, and efficient data processing. Adoption of customized software to ensure efficient data collection, analysis, and reporting, implementing machine learning for the analysis of field trials results and prediction of pesticide performance in the agricultural sector, as well to support the development and optimization of pesticides.
Virtual Reality: The integration of virtual reality technologies is a revolution. Investments by CROs are also needed to enhance the availability of skilled labor, scientific expertise and training to engage their teams to join projects. Resources for infrastructure development as new agtech tools are a must to ensure clients a high-quality offering with a broad spectrum of services by reliable suppliers. •