Bee Vectoring Technologies partners with Agri Spray Drones for targeted application in mega-crops

Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (the ″Company″ or ″BVT″) (CSE: BEE) (OTCQB: BEVVF) (CVE: BEE) announced a new partnership with Missouri-based Agri Spray Drones, a leading-edge provider of end-to-end agricultural drone solutions. Together, they will trial drone application of BVT’s proprietary Clonostachys rosea CR-7 (CR-7) biological fungicide on large-acre crops such as soybeans, corn, alfalfa and canola.

″BVT has been primarily focused on delivering CR-7 via commercially-managed bees,″ said Ashish Malik, CEO of BVT. ″Additionally, we have also been working on alternate delivery methods including foliar, soil-applied, seed treatment – and now drone applications. This exciting development is part of our overall strategy to maximize the utility of our core patented asset, CR-7, and expand its application into non-pollinated crops providing farmers an additional sustainable tool to control pathogens and improve yields.″

Drones are quickly becoming a desirable delivery method for plant protection products for the agricultural industry. They are fast, evasive of crop damage, can access fields in wet conditions where ground tractors can’t, and can fly close to the canopy, minimizing overspray or drift. In 2020, the global agriculture drone market was valued at more than US $1.3 billion, and is expected to reach US $10.5 billion by 2028.⁽¹⁾

In the new partnership, BVT and Agri Spray will evaluate drone delivery of lightweight CR-7 powder onto crops such as soybeans (which represents an 86 million⁽²⁾ acre opportunity in the US alone) and alfalfa. This will complement the seed treatment work BVT has also been focused on to enhance soybean crops, and holds potential to provide a season-long program for more efficient growth. Efficacy trials are ongoing and will continue into 2023.

″We are pleased to collaborate with BVT and are very excited to trial their biological fungicide CR-7 via our new T40 drone because of its ability to control pathogens in multiple crops on its own or in tandem with conventional pest and disease control programs. The capability to deliver this via drone to help farmers fight a broad spectrum of diseases and stimulate plant growth, resulting in greater crop yields – is a winning combination,″ said Alex Bennett, Sales Manager at Agri Spray Drones. ″This partnership is a natural extension to our business and is poised to create a solution that’s a game-changer for farmers.″

Agri Spray is dedicated to providing end-to-end agricultural drone solutions. Their knowledge of drones coupled with their experience in agriculture allows them to create systems that support farmers’ operations and promote efficiency. Their industry-leading drones provide solutions for every operation, whether it is to spray fungicide, spread cover crops, manage natural resources, or start a custom application business, they have the drone to fit a customer’s needs, and the licensing and insurance resources to help them get in the air fast.

⁽¹⁾ Source: Reports and Insights, 2022

⁽²⁾ Source: USDA, World Agricultural Production, 2022