BEETLESS: a technological alternative to the chemical model of agricultural production

Excessive use of chemical crop protection products leads to profound systemic consequences — environmental, economic, and social. In recent years, Italy has lost about 20% of its olive groves, while citrus juice production in Florida has declined by more than 60%. Such examples demonstrate that pesticides destroy not only pests but entire industries, undermining food security and the stability of agricultural economies on a global scale.

In this context, BEETLESS emerges as a technological solution that defines a new logic of agricultural production. The system integrates principles of environmental safety, precise monitoring, and automated pest population management, enabling a significant reduction or complete elimination of pesticide use. This approach establishes a foundation for the transition to environmentally sustainable production, where technology enhances rather than replaces natural regulatory mechanisms.

The effectiveness of sustainable technologies is particularly critical for the sectors that form the foundation of the global food system. Agriculture and horticulture represent the second-largest material production industry worldwide, generating approximately 25% of global GDP and providing up to 80% of food by volume and caloric value (excluding livestock). Their stability defines the level of global food security and depends on how rapidly the agricultural sector adopts safe and efficient technological solutions.

At the same time, the current model of agricultural production remains excessively dependent on chemical crop protection — one of the main drivers of ecosystem degradation. The use of pesticides causes irreversible changes in natural processes, intensifies climate-related risks, and has a negative impact on human health. An additional challenge arises from the growing resistance of pests to active substances, which makes traditional methods increasingly less effective.

Examples from different countries illustrate the consequences of long-term chemical dependency in the agricultural sector. In Italy, the disease Xylella fastidiosa, which affects olive trees, has destroyed thousands of hectares of perennial plantations. The pathogen is transmitted by several insect species and has already caused the loss of about 20% of fruit-bearing orchards, with its spread continuing. Italy’s traditional olive oil industry is now forced to source raw materials from neighboring countries such as Greece and Spain.

February 15, 2025 — Italian olive oil, Wegmans Food Market, Parsippany, NJ, USA. 

A similar crisis is observed in the case of citrus greening disease, spread by the insect Diaphorina citri. The decline in citrus production has been catastrophic: in Brazil, output has decreased by 20%, while in Florida, losses have exceeded 60%, resulting in a 50% reduction in employment within the citrus industry. In São Paulo, Brazil, where the disease has persisted since 2004, even extreme measures — such as uprooting 20% of trees and applying up to 46 pesticide treatments per season — have only slightly reduced infection levels without halting its spread. These challenges have led to a global increase in contract prices for orange juice.

Despite the active adoption of innovations across various industries — for example, the automotive sector is developing electric vehicles with closed-loop solar charging, while the construction industry is researching zero-emission concrete production — the chemical industry has shown little progress in transitioning toward sustainable solutions. At the same time, there is a growing demand in agriculture for innovative technologies capable of maintaining and increasing crop productivity without harming the environment.

The BEETLESS technology is designed for various scales of agricultural production — from large agribusinesses to small farms, where eliminating chemical inputs and restoring soil health directly contribute to higher profitability.

For agriculture, the production of truly organic food is not only an environmental choice but also an effective business strategy: consumers are willing to pay a premium for products grown without chemical interference. BEETLESS calculations show that implementing this technology can reduce farmers’ operating costs while simultaneously improving crop quality and yield stability.

February 15, 2025 — Wegmans Food Market, Parsippany, NJ, USA 

 (Price comparison between organic and conventional products from the same manufacturer) 

February 15, 2025 — Wegmans Food Market, Parsippany, NJ, USA 

 (Price comparison between organic and conventional products from the same manufacturer) 

For governments, the BEETLESS technology serves as a tool for achieving environmental standards and implementing green initiatives aimed at reducing chemical pollution and preserving water quality. The adoption of such solutions helps lower public healthcare costs associated with the effects of chemical contamination while also supporting the fulfillment of sustainable development goals.

For the planet, BEETLESS helps reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture, minimize the chemical impact of pesticide production, and preserve biodiversity.

BEETLESS is a patented technological system designed to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of chemical agents in agriculture. It is based on algorithms for precise pest population monitoring, automated species identification, and the use of natural attractants, enabling the creation of a preventive crop protection model without the use of pesticides. This approach generates long-term positive effects for the environment, the economy, and public health while simultaneously improving the quality and safety of food products.

BEETLESS solutions have already been showcased at leading international technology events, including FIRA 2024 in Sacramento, Pest World 2024, and CES 2025 in Las Vegas. During these exhibitions, the technology received high recognition from industry experts for its innovative architecture, engineering implementation, and scalability potential within the agricultural sector.

The implementation of BEETLESS technology represents part of a global transition toward sustainable agriculture — one in which precise data, bio-oriented solutions, and autonomous systems ensure production stability and harmony between agriculture and the natural environment.

The BEETLESS project is a collaboration between two technology leaders driving innovation in sustainable agriculture:

DroneUA — an international system integrator of unmanned solutions for agriculture with more than ten years of expertise. In Eastern Europe, the DroneUA Group is the largest importer and distributor of leading global drone manufacturers, maintaining its own engineering, production, and service divisions. DroneUA’s technological solutions are currently implemented on over 4 million hectares of agricultural land worldwide.

Mosqitter — a U.S.-based engineering company with over seven years of experience in developing and manufacturing eco-smart insect protection systems that operate without pesticides. The Mosqitter team holds 24 international patents and patent applications in the field of advanced environmental technologies. Its products are deployed across five continents, including at high-profile events such as the G20 Summit in Delhi, where Mosqitter systems protected participants and world leaders. The company’s team members are laureates of multiple international awards and industry rankings.