Tony Klemm, CEO of Enko, says the crop protection industry needs a major overhaul to meet the growing challenges farmers face, such as pest and weed resistance. Traditional development of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides can take over 12 years and cost more than $300 million.
Enko, based in Mystic, Connecticut, is taking a different approach by using artificial intelligence to rapidly screen billions of molecules for safety and effectiveness. This process aims to get products into the regulatory pipeline faster and more cost-effectively, while still meeting environmental safety standards.
Since its launch, Enko has developed about 50 active programs targeting weeds, insects, and diseases, many with new modes of action to combat resistance issues like Palmer amaranth and pigweed. The company’s chemistries are also designed to use fewer active ingredients, making them safer for the environment.
Photo Credit: Farm Progress
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