Waste is a big problem for both farmers and consumers. US shoppers throw away most of what they bring from grocery stores — about 133 billion pounds of food a year — according to the USDA, worth $ 161 billion. Often this happens because the products spoil before they have time to eat.
Farmers regularly lose some of their produce due to pests and pathogens - on average, losses range from eight to almost 30 percent of the crop, depending on the crop grown (according to a 2019 study).
You can get rid of problems with pests and diseases by treating fields with pesticides. But today consumers are especially concerned about the "cleanliness" and safety of products, and the use of chemicals is regulated by strict rules. Under these conditions, farmers are increasingly opting for so-called biopesticides, which, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are less toxic.
In this episode of Science Facts and Mistakes, Genetic Literacy Project, Jamie Bacher, molecular biologist and co-founder of biotechnology startup Boost Biomes, joins Cameron English's GLP editor to discuss his company's new approach to pest control and promoting sustainable farming.
Visit the project website to listen to the podcast