The HARMONY project (Holistic AppRoach for Managing emerging OrgaNisms through sYnergy of biocontrol agents, biopesticides, and semiochemicals) has officially begun its activities. This multidisciplinary collaboration, led by the Almería‑based biotechnology company AGROBÍO S.L., aims to revolutionise Integrated Pest Management strategies by combining biological control agents (BCAs), next‑generation biopesticides and innovative semiochemicals.
HARMONY (Project CPP2024‑011362 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, EU) has received a favourable funding resolution under the 2024 Public‑Private Collaboration Projects call of the Spanish State Research Agency (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities). The initiative seeks to provide sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides for invasive pests affecting key crops such as citrus and pepper, directly addressing urgent threats posed by invasive thrips and scale insects, among others.
Key details of the HARMONY project
The project has a total eligible budget of €1,773,859.74, with €1,488,853.70 granted in funding, including a €576,731.32 subsidy, a €911,107.91 loan and a €157,814.57 repayable FEDER advance. Funding comes from the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and is co‑financed by the European Union. The project will run from October 2025 to September 2028 and is currently in its first year of development.
Holistic and integrated
HARMONY is built on three complementary pillars to enhance the resilience of cropping systems:
Enhanced biological control agents: Based on the development and genetic improvement of key natural enemies (Orius laevigatus, Macrolophus pygmaeus), optimisation of mass‑rearing techniques and the introduction of new predator species. Conservation strategies such as ecological infrastructures and supplemental diets will reinforce their sustainability in agroecosystems.
Next‑generation biopesticides: Development of new biopesticides based on microbial organisms (fungi and bacteria), microbial metabolites, proteins, RNA interference (RNAi) and plant extracts, overcoming formulation and stability challenges to ensure compatibility within IPM systems.
Innovative semiochemical‑based control: Design of “Attract‑and‑Kill” (A&K) platforms using specific pheromones and environmentally safe insecticides, effectively targeting thrips and scale insects.
The synergy of these biotechnological innovations is expected to reduce pesticide use by 50% and deliver fruit and vegetables with fewer residues, ensuring long‑term economic viability for growers.
A top‑tier consortium
HARMONY is a multidisciplinary collaboration between three leading Spanish agro‑biotechnology companies and four top national research centres.
AGROBÍO S.L.: Project coordinator and leader in mass production of beneficial arthropods. Futureco Bioscience S.A. (FBIO): Specialist in biopesticide research and development. SEDQ Healthy Crops S.L.: Expert in semiochemical‑based control. Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC‑CSIC): The “Chemical Ecology of Pest Insects” research group has extensive experience in identifying semiochemicals and their potential application in integrated pest control. Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT): The “BioControl Selection Lab” focuses on next‑generation biocontrol agents, including genetically improved natural enemies, new mass‑rearing strategies and innovative release and feeding systems to enhance biological control against emerging and invasive pests within IPM programmes. University of Almería (UAL): Contributes expertise in metabolomics and advanced material synthesis through the “Advanced NMR Methods and Metal‑based Catalysts (NMRMBC)” group. University of Barcelona (UB): The “Soft Condensed Matter Lab” applies physics to optimise BCA performance and quantify insect behaviour.
“The collaboration between the three companies will significantly expand their markets, with the goal of reaching a 30% share of the biological control market in Spanish citrus by 2028,” said Enric Vila, R&D Director at Agrobío.
