The new GMO control product “Friendly™ has been officially approved in Paraguay

 British biotechnology company Oxitec has received full approval and commercialization permission from the Paraguayan government for its newly developed Friendly™ Armyworm insect control product. This is the second commercial market for the product in Latin America, after Brazil in 2022.

Friendly™ is designed to combat the Armyworm infestation and is a sustainable biological solution. Currently, the pest is difficult to control and has developed resistance to conventional insecticides and biotech crops, posing a major threat to global food security and agricultural economic sustainability. The bug has spread beyond the Americas in recent years, placing a heavy economic burden on other regions as well.

Friendly™ carries a self-limiting gene that produces only male individuals who cannot reproduce. The continuous release of these genetically modified male species into the field can rapidly reduce the number of wild females and terminate their offspring, thus effectively controlling the Armyworm population.

In addition, the product is designed to be integrated with existing control measures to counteract pest resistance and provide lasting protection for crops. Oxitec is preparing its operations for the upcoming growing season in Paraguay.

This innovative biological control technology complements current Armyworm control tools and is important for establishing long-term sustainability of agricultural production in Paraguay.