EcoSmart monitoring: Optimising biodegradable polymer dispensers for climate-smart insect pest management and sustainable agriculture in West Africa

Tackling one of the most destructive pests threatening food security in Nigeria

Project Partners: Federal University of Lavras, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Razbio Limited and the Universidade Federal de Lavras

This international collaboration aims to tackle one of the most destructive pests threatening food security in Nigeria: Tuta absoluta, also known as the tomato leafminer.

This invasive pest has devastated tomato crops across the country, causing losses exceeding ₦1.5 billion annually, reducing farmer incomes, and increasing food prices. In response, this project will develop and test a new, environmentally friendly pheromone dispenser that will help farmers detect the pest early and take timely action to protect their crops.

Led by UK-based agri-biotech company Razbio Limited, the project brings together leading academic and field implementation partners from Brazil and Nigeria. The team will co-develop a biodegradable polymer-based dispenser that gradually releases Tuta absoluta pheromones in the field. Unlike traditional plastic blister-pack lures that degrade quickly in hot and humid conditions, this novel dispenser is designed to perform reliably under Nigeria’s climatic extremes, offering a climate-smart solution for pest monitoring. The project includes three interconnected work packages. Razbio Limited will produce and optimise the lure dispensers, incorporating natural additives such as sawdust to regulate pheromone release and biodegradation.

Links between the UK, Nigeria, and Brazil

Brazilian researchers will investigate how the pheromones interact with the pest’s odorant-binding proteins, helping to refine the lure formulation through molecular and gene expression studies. Meanwhile, the Nigerian partner will conduct field trials across key tomato-growing regions, engaging with farmers to evaluate real-world performance and provide hands-on training. Together, the project partners aim to reduce pesticide use, improve pest control timing, and boost tomato yields, helping farmers transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. The innovation also supports Nigeria’s environmental goals by reducing plastic waste and agrochemical runoff. For UK taxpayers, the project offers strong value by promoting exportable green technologies, creating potential jobs in the UK’s agritech sector, and establishing long-term research and development links between the UK, Nigeria, and Brazil.

The project is designed with equity and sustainability in mind. Each partner leads a critical component, and decision-making will be shared through a rotating governance structure. By combining local knowledge, global science, and climate-resilient design, this project has the potential to transform how Nigeria monitors and manages Tuta absoluta, protecting livelihoods and strengthening food security for thousands of farming households.

For more information

For more information on this project, contact us, or view all projects funded under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership programme.

Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership: UK-Brazil-Africa brings together innovative people and organisations to promote climate-smart agriculture in Africa.