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Biotic constraints, notably insect pests and diseases, represent a major challenge for the mango sector in West Africa. Fruit flies, in particular, cause annual losses of 50-80% of fruit production, resulting in direct and indirect damage, as well as economic losses on the export market due to their status as quarantine pests. Effective fruit fly management and prevention are therefore essential to preserve mango production in the region.

Against this backdrop, the MangoProtect biopesticide represents a revolutionary advance in the sustainable management of fruit flies, which are responsible for heavy economic losses in African mango cultivation. Developed by a multidisciplinary team at the Centre Régional d'Excellence en Fruits et Légumes (CRE - FL) within Burkina Faso's Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherche Agricole (INERA), MangoProtect is positioned as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional pesticides.

Eco-friendly technology for African farmers

MangoProtect has been designed to capture fruit flies effectively, targeting the species responsible for the majority of damage, including Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis cosyra, and Ceratitis sylvestrii. Thanks to a system of traps containing a specific food attractant, MangoProtect attracts and captures up to 75 flies per day per trap, the majority of which are females. This efficiency significantly reduces the fly population and improves mango yields, with up to 40% more marketable mangoes.

Classified in WHO toxicity category U, MangoProtect is non-irritating to skin and eyes, and poses no risk of intoxication to growers when used correctly. Unlike chemical pesticides, this biopesticide leaves no toxic residues on the fruit, enabling growers to access international organic markets for both fresh and dried mangoes.

A ready-to-use, user-friendly solution

According to INERA researcher Karim Nebié, MangoProtect is a climate-smart tool. At MITA 2024 in Lomé, he presented this solution and highlighted MangoProtect's adaptability to the region's hot climates, where fruit fly populations are particularly high. This technology contributes to crop resilience while maintaining a high level of profitability for growers, with a marginal return of up to 116%.

Already approved in several African countries, MangoProtect is also being extended to market gardening, boosting food security in various agricultural sectors. By offering a natural, effective solution to pest control, this innovation supports small-scale producers in their transition to more ecological agriculture, while enhancing the value of African export sectors.