Cryprogran SC now PCB Registered

As April Deadline Looms, PCPB Gives Nod for Bioline’s New Viral Weapon Against FCM, Cryptogran SC

African farmers have long grappled with the devastating impact of the false codling moth (FCM), haumatotibia leucotreta, a highly destructive pest that ravages over 70 plant species.

This voracious feeder has wreaked havoc on high-value crops such as peppers, avocados, macadamia nuts and roses, severely impacting exports and causing significant economic losses.

With the European Union tightening its phytosanitary regulations, Bioline Agrosciences Africa is leading the charge in the fight against FCM. The global company, which operates Africa’s largest bio-manufacturing facility, recently secured regulatory approval for Cryptogran SC from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) in Kenya. This marks a crucial step in controlling this destructive pest.

Kenya’s cut flower industry, which supplies nearly 40% of the EU’s roses, has faced escalating interception rates due to FCM. With 80% of Kenya’s roses destined for Europe, failure to meet phytosanitary standards risks severe economic repercussions.

Why Is False Codling Moth So Hard to Beat?

The false codling moth is a formidable pest due to its biology and unique behavior:

Stealthy Larval Behavior: FCM larvae burrow deep into fruit, making them inaccessible to chemical pesticides.
Adaptability: The moth thrives in diverse climates, has overlapping generations, and reproduces rapidly, making infestations difficult to predict and control.
Global Trade Implications: Classified as a quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), even a single larva can trigger export rejections

The science behind The Science Behind Cryptogran SC
Cryptogran SC utilizes the Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV), a natural pathogen that specifically targets FCM larvae. Once ingested, the virus infiltrates the gut cells of the larvae, replicating rapidly and causing their tissues to break down—essentially “liquefying” the pest as it multiplies.

This highly selective mode of action leaves beneficial insects, non-target organisms, and the surrounding environment unharmed, setting Cryptogran SC apart from chemical pesticides, despite having comparable efficacy levels.

Over two decades of research and rigorous field trials underline its efficacy:
Over 50 field trials conducted in South Africa between 2000 and 2015 demonstrated larval reductions of 30% to 92%.
Farmers in South Africa have successfully used Cryptogran SC for over a decade

Cryptogran SC: A Timely Solution

The registration of Cryptogran SC by Kenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) couldn’t be more timely. As the EU ramps up inspections to scrutinize 25% of shipments and prepares for stricter regulations in April 2025, farmers need an eective tool that aligns with international residue standards.

Cryptogran SC oers unique advantages:
• Prevents Resistance: Its biological mechanism avoids the resistance issues associated with chemical pesticides.
• Supports Sustainability: It reduces the use of synthetic chemicals and aligns with integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
• Enhances Market Access: By ensuring minimal pesticide residues, Cryptogran SC helps farmers comply with stringent export requirements.

Beyond Pest Control

Cryptogran SC’s benefits extend beyond controlling FCM infestations. By protecting yields and improving the quality of crops, it boosts farmers’ incomes and secures Kenya’s position as a leading exporter of flowers and produce. Its environmentally friendly profile also resonates with global consumers, who increasingly prioritize sustainable agricultural practices. This dual advantage—economic and ecological—makes Cryptogran SC a vital tool for Kenya’s floriculture sector.

A Multipronged Approach

Success in combating FCM will require more than just biopesticides. Stakeholders like the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) are driving a systems approach—integrating biological, cultural, and mechanical controls to disrupt FCM’s lifecycle at every stage.

Key interventions include:
Regular greenhouse inspections and mass trapping to catch infestations early.
• Training programs to enhance farmers’ scouting and pest management skills.
• Rigorous quality control at packhouses to ensure compliance with export standards.

John Ogechah, Head of Bioline Academy at Bioline Agrosciences Africa, emphasizes the urgency of adopting these measures: “Our major export market, the EU, has clearly defined its requirement: NO FCM in consignments. Achieving this demands sober dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions like
Cryptogran SC to safeguard Kenya’s agricultural future.”

Safeguarding Kenyan Export Markets

With only a few months before EU Regulation 2024/2004 comes into effect, Kenyan farmers face immense pressure to comply with the prescribed measures of controlling FCM. However, with Cryptogran SC now in their arsenal, they have a powerful, sustainable, and effective solution to tackle FCM.

This revolutionary biopesticide promises to protect crops, secure export markets, and set a benchmark for sustainable pest management across Kenya and beyond.