The ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection is an Australia-led initiative tackling global food security challenges by developing innovative RNA-based bio-pesticides. These environmentally friendly, non-genetically modified alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides reduce chemical use, boost crop productivity, and enhance market access, contributing to a more sustainable and competitive agribusiness sector.

A major focus of the Hub is to develop and commercialise biological alternatives to chemical fungicides that target economically significant broad-acre and horticultural crop diseases. These efforts address key industry challenges, including fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects, and environmental harm.

Supported by the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Research Program, the Hub unites a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to transforming crop protection technology. One of its flagship developments is BioClay™—a biodegradable spray solution that utilises clay particles to deliver dsRNA to plants. This innovation enables plants to naturally fight pests, providing longer-lasting protection without harmful residues or toxins.