2nd Breakout Session - Orange Team: M. Benson, Leader
For expanding commercialization opportunities for biocontrol, what alterations or alliances would you recommend to make existing paradigms more successful? Consider two of the following: a) individual grower-initiated efforts, b) cooperatives c) small companies, d) large companies
Chose the ‘Sunkist’ grower cooperative, a for-profit cooperative: U.S. growers/extension service can learn from other countries coop systems. The Federal government does not use international coop information though it is available on the Internet. There should be link of US coops with international coops. Farmer-to-farmer lighthouse meetings to link farmers in coop.
- Mix of traditional (synthetic based control) with IPM and biocontrol users should be adopted.
- No assurance of profit if biocontrol approach followed.
- BIOS model (described by K. Klonsky) needed to get growers as teachers and partners in biocontrol system.
- Coop should involve university students in education towards BC.
- Utilize EPA Stewardship grants to encourage BC adoption by coops.
- Utilize Federal grants for new market expansion.
- Make use of models for biocontrol from coops in other countries (information is on the Internet in some cases).
List at least five unconventional ideas that might be tried.
- Require residue-free food/crop imports into the US to open biocontrol market opportunities overseas.
- Impose a residue-tax at the farm gate or packer to fund biocontrol adoption.
- Crop insurance system for biocontrol users just like other ag insurance programs.
- ‘Most favored’ status for countries importing crops to US grown under biocontrol.
- Hire a ‘Bill Gates’ guy to promote/endorse biocontrol.
As a group: Drawing upon Tasks #1 or #2, or any other workshop discussions, construct a scenario or paradigm for a new enterprise that could commercialize some particular aspect of biocontrol. What would it take to develop and implement such an enterprise? (For example, consider possible roles of academia, growers, government, and industry; consider legal, financial/business, scientific and education/communication issues).
New enterprise (this company was founded on the belief that the current ‘biological control industry’ has been unsuccessful in large part):
- Microsoft-like BC, Inc.
- Product is ‘BCA1’
- It is an operating identification system for using biocontrol.
- It includes a check list for biocontrol development that is user-friendly, probably based on a binary, yes/no flow chart for the most appropriate bicontrol practice on a given crop/pest/pathogen situation.
What is needed to develop this enterprise?
- ‘Grass-cutter’ to spearhead adoption of biocontrol. This is something or someone of great importance who commands respect of the user group for instance and IBM of agriculture like Monsanto or a spokesperson for biocontrol like Al Gore.
- Requirement that x% of total pest control effort used be biocontrol based by some time x. Example is California’s institution of ‘zero-emissions’ for autos on a certain date. The auto industry figured out a way to comply with the law. This would automatically create market share for small biocontrol companies.
- Must demonstrate effective cost:benefit relations for biocontrol program.
- Must demonstrate that biocontrol program is safe for humans and environment.
- Will need a lot of education and advertising primarily on TV with a very well-known spokesperson.
Considering all the discussions throughout this workshop, list the five action steps that could have the most positive impact on the commercialization of biocontrol. (Identify who could do what).
- Needs national leader like ‘Bill Gates’ or his endorsement
- National TV ad program with slogan/ star to promote biocontrol
- Get ‘antagonists’ groups to table to resolve biocontrol adoption issues.
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