Improving biocontrol efficacy with natural products for western flower thrips control

An innovative, sustainable solution for managing a major agricultural pest threatening food security in West Africa

Project Partners: Allesnano, Bionema Group Limited and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria 

The project “Improving biocontrol efficacy with natural products for western flower thrips control” brings together partners from the UK, Brazil, and Nigeria to develop an innovative, sustainable solution for managing a major agricultural pest threatening food security in West Africa.  

Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is a devastating pest responsible for significant yield losses in vegetable crops such as pepper. Its rapid spread and resistance to conventional pesticides have made it a serious concern for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This project addresses the urgent need for practical, environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides, especially as climate change worsens pest pressure and disrupts conventional farming systems. Led by the Bionema Group in the UK, the project aims to enhance the performance of microbial biopesticides—naturally occurring beneficial fungi—by combining them with plant-based nano-formulated adjuvants developed by Allesnano in Brazil. These adjuvants improve how biopesticides adhere to plant surfaces and increase their persistence in tropical field conditions, ultimately boosting their effectiveness against target pests.  

Innovative combined technologies

The innovation lies in combining two proven but underutilised technologies in a new way, specifically tailored to Nigeria’s climate and farming systems. Together with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Nigeria, the partners will conduct laboratory tests, greenhouse trials, and field evaluations across agro-ecological zones to validate this integrated solution. The project is grounded in collaboration, with each partner bringing specialist knowledge. Bionema contributes microbial expertise and product development skills; Allesnano provides green formulation technology; and FUNAAB brings deep local understanding, pest management infrastructure, and links to farming communities. By replacing synthetic pesticides with a biodegradable, low-toxicity solution, the project supports ecological resilience, reduces chemical residues in soil and water, and helps farmers protect their crops more sustainably. It also empowers local researchers and agronomists through training and knowledge transfer, creating long-term capacity for innovation in Nigeria. This partnership exemplifies the goals of climate-smart agriculture by addressing pest control, improving crop yields, and reducing environmental harm. It is expected to pave the way for regional scaling of biologically based crop protection solutions, strengthening food security and supporting smallholder livelihoods in a warming climate. 

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.