Botanical Based Solutions

Top five challenges farmers are facing that Botanical Biopesticides can solve

1. Chemical Footprint

The Challenge The intense use of traditional pesticides is a major concern for human health as well as the environment. Despite the global increase of botanical insecticides, toxic pesticides are still the main solutions used by growers to fight plant diseases.

Botanical biopesticides are created using naturally derived ingredients. They are safe for flora and harmless to humans. Botanical biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional pesticides and lower the chemical footprint, offering healthier, biological-based plant protection.

2. Disease Adaptivity

The Challenge Foliar diseases are highly destructive to agricultural crops, resulting in considerable lower crop yields and decreased quality. Conventionally, such diseases are controlled by using traditional pesticides. However, over time, many agricultural crop pathogens have developed resistance to these traditional pesticides, increasing the risk of crop loss and food scarcity.

By using botanical biopesticides, which contain several naturally accrued molecules, the probability that crop pathogens can become resistant to the biopesticides is very low. For this reason, botanical biopesticides offer an attractive alternative to synthetic pesticides and an important tool in resistance management.

3. Application Time-frame (PHI)

The Challenge When using chemical pesticides, growers have relatively long PHI (Pre Harvest Interval) limitations and must wait between the pesticide application and the harvest, in order to minimize pesticide residue.

Because Botanical pesticides are safe and non-toxic, they have shorter Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHI) limitations, and waiting times between application and harvest can range from zero to two days only.

4. The Market (and Regulation) Moves Towards Organic Solutions

The Challenge There is growing consumer awareness regarding the health and environmental risks associated with synthetic pesticides. The market demand for safer foods and sustainable products is booming. Regulation is following this trend, requiring healthier, biological-based solutions that reduce chemical residues.

Botanical biopesticides are safe for workers and the environment. They help growers meet organic food standards and produce “residue-free” food. In addition, botanical biopesticides usually have no residues detections, thus increasing growers' access to profitable export markets.

5. Broader Diseases Control Range

The Challenge Some foliar diseases are now endemic in many regions, and growers need effective solutions that are safe to use on vegetables, herbs, grapevines, rice, soya, coffee, banana and various fruit trees.

Botanical biopesticides, used alone or in combination with conventional crop protection products, are effective against a broad spectrum of plant diseases. They improve efficacy and enhance yield. The combination of synthetic and biological pesticides reduces the ability of the diseases to develop resistance and prolongs the efficacy of the chemical active ingredient.

Summit Agro becomes the Exclusive Partner of STK in the USA

Summit Agro will distribute STK Botanical Biopesticides and Innovative ‘Hybrids’ in the USA April 15,  (Petach Tikvah, Israel) – STK bio-ag technologies, the innovative Israeli leader in botanical sustainable crop protection, has partnered with Summit Agro U.S.A., which will become the exclusive distributor of STK products in the United States. Effective immediately, Summit Agro USA will assume the marketing and sales responsibility for STK products in the USA.  Currently registered STK products, include TIMOREX GOLD® and Timorex ACT®.  TIMOREX GOLD® is the world’s leading botanical-based biofungicide, used in nearly 40 countries and currently approved for use throughout the USA for a wide range of uses.  Timorex ACT®, is a new OMRI – listed biofungicide for organic farming and conventional agriculture.  Pending registration is REGEV®. REGEV® is the first ‘hybrid’ pre-mixed combination of a botanical-based biopesticide with a chemical pesticide. Comprised of Tee Tree Oil (TTO) and Difenoconazole, REGEV® is already used in approximately 15 countries and has proven activity on a wide range of horticultural and row crops. EPA registration is anticipated in the first quarter of 2020.   In addition to the STK products, Summit Agro will also assume the STK non-exclusive rights to sell AVIV® biological fungicide in the US. Already successfully launched in the US, AVIV® offers broad spectrum disease control in key fruit and vegetable crops. CEO Arye Tennebaum of STK declared, “I am delighted to announce this partnership with Summit Agro. They are a world-class organization, with a great team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated professionals to help fruit and vegetable growers with STK’s cutting edge technologies for plant health and yield growth.”   The President and CEO of Summit Agro USA, Bill Lewis, also commented, stating,” Summit Agro is very excited with this opportunity.  The addition of the STK brands to the existing strong Summit Agro brand family will allow Summit Agro to offer a wide range of disease control options.   We are confident that in coordination with our exclusive distribution partners, Helena Agri Enterprises and the Tenkoz Member Companies, we will be able to effectively deliver STK’s  innovative biological and ‘hybrid’ solutions to growers all across the USA. We know these are outstanding products and we’re very proud to have been selected to represent them in the USA.” About STK Founded in 1994, STK is a bio-ag technology company committed to sustainable crop protection through the use of innovative biological products. STK’s botanical-based solutions (BBS), a synergy of cutting-edge scientific research and technology, enhance the safety, yield and quality of multiple crops. STK’s botanical and hybrid solutions are easily integrated into conventional spraying programs, helping to advance the Integrated Pest Management approach to food production. About Summit Agro Summit Agro USA, located in Durham, NC is focused on working with our partners to identify, develop, and deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of growers across the United States.  Summit Agro has a history of bringing innovative solutions to market and can manage the full process from initial development to sales. This integrated business approach enables us to provide reliable, high-quality products to US growers.  Whether the need is for insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides, Summit Agro has a full range of product offers to meet the needs of our customers.

Exclusive Distribution Agreement Announced For STK In Colombia

March 11, 2019 (Tel Aviv, Israel) – STK bio – ag technologies, the innovative Israel-based leader in bio-ag technologies and hybrid technologies for sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and ADAMA , a global leader in crop protection products,  are announcing an exclusive agreement for the distribution of Timorex® Gold botanical-based bio-fungicide and STK REGEV® ‘Hybrid’ fungicide throughout Colombia. Under this exclusive agreement, ADAMA will sell the products throughout Colombia under STK’s trade name, Timorex® Gold and  STK REGEV®. Timorex® Gold is currently approved for use in Colombia for the following crops: Bananas, Rice, Ornamentals, Tomatoes, Avocados, Onions, Coffee, Corn, Tobacco, Potatoes, Passion fruit and Pitahaya. Colombia has also approved STK REGEV® on rice, with expected label extension on bananas, ornamentals, coffee and tomatoes. TIMOREX GOLD® is a highly effective and popular botanical-based bio-fungicide. Based on Tea Tree Oil, TIMOREX GOLD® is used by growers in nearly 40 countries throughout the Americas, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Israel. TIMOREX GOLD® protects fruits and vegetables from a wide variety of diseases, substantially increases crop yields and quality, leaves no chemical residues, and makes TIMOREX GOLD® treated crops more competitive and agriculture more sustainable internationally. STK REGEV® is the world’s first ‘hybrid’ fungicide. It is used successfully in many countries and several regions of the world.  A ready to use mix, STK REGEV® is used exactly as other fungicides, but with the added benefits of reduced chemical residues and much better resistance management due to its highly complex formulation of Tea Tree Oil and Difenoconazole. This easy  to use fungicide serves as a ‘bridge,’ enabling farmers who have never used any biological product to try one, without having to mix, rotate or do anything differently, thereby expanding the use of biological products for sustainable agriculture. Commenting on the Agreement, STK CEO, Arye Tenenbaum declared, “We are very pleased to be partnering with such a great company as ADAMA, whose world-class team of experts will promote the use of these exceptionally innovative and highly-effective biological products to Colombian growers." ADAMA Andeans Countries CEO, Edgardo Iglesias commented, “TIMOREX GOLD® and STK REGEV® complement ADAMA’s portfolio in Colombia. With these highly-advanced technologies, we aim to continue providing valuable services and products to enable farmers to optimize yields and help them grow." STK Colombia Country Manager, Jose A. Estevez added, “I have great expectations for this strategic agreement to accelerate the STK market penetration and sales growth in Colombia.”

EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED FOR TIMOREX® GOLD IN SPAIN

STK & Sipcam announce an exclusive Distribution Agreement for Timorex® Gold botanical-based biofungicide in Spain January 23, 2019 (Petach Tikvah, Israel) - STK bio – ag technologies, the innovative Israel-based leader in bio-ag technologies for sustainable agriculture, and Sipcam , a global leader in crop protection products,  are announcing an exclusive agreement for the distribution and market development  of Timorex® Gold bio fungicide throughout Spain. Under this exclusive agreement, Sipcam Iberia will market and sell the product throughout Spain under STK’s trade name, Timorex® Gold. Timorex® Gold is currently approved for use in Spain on cucumber and zucchini, with label extensions applied for grapes, tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins and gherkins. Timorex® Gold is a highly- effective, eco-friendly, Maximum Residue Level exempted premium biofungicide, meeting the highest standards for sustainable agriculture. Timorex® Gold’s unique mode of action protects plants by rupturing fungus cells, increasing overall plant health and yields for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Timorex® Gold works to protect plants from Botrytis, Powdery Mildew, Black Sigatoka and many other fungal and bacterial diseases. While Timorex® Gold is currently used by growers in over 30 countries in various regions, Spain is the first country is Western Europe to approve its use. The plan is for Timorex® Gold to enter the rest of the Western Europe over the next few years. According to STK CEO Arye Tenenbaum, “The collaboration between STK bio – ag technologies & Sipcam Iberia is a testament to both companies’ commitment to sustainable agriculture and our mutual goal of providing innovative, effective and environmentally friendly solutions to growers. “  Sipcam CEO Pablo Montañés declared, “Sipcam has a rigorous process for identifying the most innovative and effective biological products and companies for distribution partnership.  We look forward to our collaboration with STK and rolling out Timorex® Gold with great success bringing a highly-effective new tool to hundreds of Spanish growers, completing the already interesting Sipcam portfolio in bioprotection.”