Crop Protection Research

Since 1999, CRUSA has supported the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CIBCM) in various cutting-edge biotechnological research efforts with ambitious and long-term objectives.

Some of these studies have already produced results. For example, after 15 years of work, researchers have developed a line of transgenic rice that is resistant to PPT herbicide, enabling farmers to use herbicide to eliminate rice weeds without fear of affecting the rice grown for commercial purposes. Through other studies, researchers developed a bio-insecticide based on a bacterium that is highly toxic to the coffee berry borer – the main pest affecting coffee crops – but is harmless to humans and the environment. These initiatives will result in commercial products whose profits will help finance more research of this type.