As the UAE hosts the Vertical Farming Summit, a groundbreaking innovation emerges from CXC™, a Canadian company that promises to revolutionise agricultural practices in the UAE with its sustainable biocontrol product, CXC BIOC-1.
Recently, a UAE-based sustainable agricultural and food technology startup unveiled plans to grow tomatoes, along with other crops, in Dubai’s cutting-edge vertical farm. This advancement is a triumph over the harsh climate. Furthermore, a recent report shows that the market size of tomato cultivation is only going to grow at the rate of 1.92 percent CAGR in the UAE. With the UAE hosting the vertical farming summit this year and the COP28 declaration of sustainable and resilient food systems, food security has never been more top of mind in the UAE.
As the industry tries to keep pace with the ever-growing population, persistent challenges plague the agricultural industry. Blights like foliar diseases of lettuce, pythium root rot in spinach, potato scab, tomato canker, and tomato speck ultimately erode profits and increase food insecurity. CXC™, a Montréal-based company co-founded by François Lamoureux, is taking a new approach to this dilemma with its product, CXC BIOC-1. This innovation promises to transform the way farmers manage various bacterial diseases in fields, greenhouses, and vertical farms, offering a more sustainable and effective solution.
Tomato canker and tomato speck are two devastating bacterial diseases that wreak havoc on tomato crops, causing economic losses. Tomato canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), and tomato speck, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, can infect plants both in the field and in greenhouses. These pathogens are highly resilient and difficult to manage, often requiring drastic measures like burning infected fields to prevent further spread.
Current control methods, including the use of copper-based fungicides, offer limited success. While copper hydroxide can control fungal diseases, it is less effective against bacterial pathogens like Cmm and Pseudomonas syringae as it develops resistant strains. Moreover, the reliance on synthetic chemicals poses environmental concerns for both farmers and consumers.
Farmers and even agricultural companies are under increased pressure to reduce their dependence on synthetic chemicals due to their harmful environmental impact and the growing consumer demand for safer, more sustainable agricultural practices. However, the transition to biocontrol solutions has been challenging. Biologicals, though promising, take years to develop and require substantial investment. The market is saturated with products that often do not meet the efficacy needed to replace traditional chemicals.
CXC™ is a company dedicated to transforming fundamental research into practical solutions and has introduced CXC BIOC-1, a biocontrol product that promises to address the shortcomings of existing methods.
CXC BIOC-1 functions as a biocontrol agent that targets bacterial pathogens in crops. It significantly reduces the expression of tomato canker and increases disease suppression, ensuring healthier and more robust crops. François further states, “Unlike many biocontrol products that fail to work alongside synthetic chemicals, CXC BIOC-1 is designed to complement existing treatments, enhancing their effectiveness and offering a more integrated approach to pest management.”
The innovation developed by CXC will be relevant for the UAE’s growing vertical farming sector. Even vertical farming offers a solution to the region’s harsh climate and limited arable land. However, even in these controlled settings, pathogens like Cmm can infiltrate and devastate the whole vertical farm itself. CXC BIOC-1’s proven ability to suppress these pathogens makes it an invaluable tool for vertical farmers looking to maximise yields and maintain healthy plants.
Recognising this potential in the UAE, François is planning to attend the vertical farming summit this year in September 2024. This summit will bring together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of agriculture in the region. The co-founder’s attendance underscores CXC™’s commitment to leveraging its biocontrol technology to support sustainable agricultural practices in the UAE and beyond.
The journey of CXC BIOC-1 began in Montreal back in 2003. Since then, CXC™ has pursued extensive research and development. These biocontrol strains are exclusively licensed to CXC™.
As the world grapples with the challenges of sustainable agriculture, companies like CXC™ are providing innovative solutions. Their product, CXC BIOC-1, represents a significant advancement in biocontrol technology, offering a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals and enhancing crop protection. François Lamoureux and his team at CXC™ are not just addressing the immediate needs of farmers but are also contributing to the broader goal of environmental sustainability. By attending the upcoming agricultural summits, they further aim to showcase their CXC BIOC-1 technology’s potential and encourage its adoption across the UAE and beyond.