Europe is increasingly vulnerable to citrus pest invasions, driven by global trade and climate change. CITRUSBUSTERS plans to step in and engage farmers, policymakers, and researchers to address this pressing challenge.

“Citrus is vital for Europe’s food and economy. We need faster, safer ways to fight pests—before it’s too late,” said the project coordinator at AINIA. “Citrus is vital for Europe’s food security and economy. But with destructive diseases like Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) and Citrus black spot (CBS) posing increasing threats, we urgently need faster, safer, and smarter ways to protect our crops, before it’s too late,” said the project coordinator at AINIA. “Through CITRUSBUSTERS, we are developing cutting-edge, sustainable tools to detect and prevent outbreaks, strengthen plant resilience, and fight pests like Candidatus Liberibacter, Phyllosticta citricarpa, and their vectors—offering real hope for the future of European citrus farming.” 

CITRUSBUSTERS will strive to integrate advanced detection technologies, resilient plant strategies, and sustainable biocontrol methods to strengthen Europe’s citrus sector:

• Smart surveillance through co-culture models, remote sensing, and machine learning to predict outbreaks.
• Agroecological innovation, including the identification and application of natural immune-activating molecules and DNA-free plant improvement.
• Development of safe and effective biocontrol agents.
• Co-creation of best practices and policy guidance to ensure uptake by farmers and alignment with EU Farm-to-Fork objectives.

The project consortium

The CITRUSBUSTERS team includes agri-tech centres, universities, farmer groups, research institutes, and innovation-driven small and medium-sized enterprises. These partners bring expertise in plant health, AI and remote sensing, agroecology, biocontrol product development, policy advice, and outreach. Countries involved include Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Greece, and Brazil.

About AINIA 

AINIA is a private technology centre based in Valencia, Spain, with over 35 years of experience in research, development, and innovation (R&D&I). Specializing in sectors such as agri-food, packaging, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and energy, AINIA collaborates with more than 1,700 clients and over 750 associated companies annually. Their multidisciplinary team of over 250 professionals focuses on areas including sustainable food production, food safety, health and wellness, green transition, and digital transformation. As the coordinator of the CITRUSBUSTERS project, AINIA leverages its expertise to develop innovative solutions for early detection and biocontrol of citrus pests, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in Europe. 

Contact person, Project coordinator: 

Paloma Juárez Ortega, AINIA 
e-mail: pjuarez@gmail.com

This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON EUROPE research and innovation programme, under grant agreement No. 101181709. This press release reflects the views only of the author, and all partners of the project CITRUSBUSTERS and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.