Phoenix, July 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioNovelus, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ONOV) is proud to announce that its biodegradable fungicide, CR-10, will be tested by major coffee growers in Guatemala, starting this week.
Fedecocagua, one of the largest cooperative of Guatemala with 20,000 coffee growers has agreed to test CR-10 at several of its plantations. Additionally, tests will be launched with Finca Medina, in Antigua, a renowned region for specialty Arabica coffee.
“The coffee rust fungus (or “roya” in Spanish) is estimated to have caused over $1 billion in damages in Guatemala alone, since 2012. It is now estimated that 70-80% of its coffee crops are affected by the disease. This is among the highest rates throughout Central America. The government of Guatemala declared a state of emergency in 2013.
"Roya" is affecting everyone involved in the coffee distribution chain — from the farmers working in the fields, to the rich coffee finca owners. Even Starbucks is not immune from this growing menace. Coffee harvests of Guatemalan plantations have dropped to 1/20th of what they used to be in recent years.
The Guatemalan coffee industry ranks #10 in the world producing 3,400,000 - 60 kilos bags from 276,500 hectares of valuable and irreplaceable farmland.
Mr. Jean Ekobo, President/CEO of BioNovelus, Inc. is traveling to Guatemala to personally oversee the launch of several CR-10 tests. While there, he will also meet with executives of the World Coffee Research Institute in Guatemala City, and with the owner of Soluagro, a Central America leader in the coffee and food packaging.
BioNovelus-Costa Rica, a subsidiary of BioNovelus, Inc., is fully registered before the Costa Rican Public Registry. BioNovelus-C.R., is the new regional headquarters for BioNovelus, Inc.’s growing operation in Central America.
BioNovelus-C.R. has retained Mr. Enrique Calderon as a regional manager. Mr. Calderon has assumed various positions in the coffee industry. He is an expert in coffee production and trade, and is well-known in the industry. Mr. Calderon will be responsible for obtaining the registrations of CR-10 in all Central American countries, and in Mexico and Colombia. He will be instrumental in the commercialization of CR-10 in Central America, Mexico and Colombia. Also, he will oversee pilot testing and represent BioNovelus in conversations and certain negotiations with potential distributors in the region.
About BioNovelus Inc.
BioNovelus, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ONOV) is a biotech company that honors the environment with an innovative, cost effective and disruptive technology-based solution to the problems of safety and cleanliness regarding food production and water supply.
BioNovelus’ primary target market is the $100 Billion, annually, worldwide, coffee industry. Coffee Rust or "Roya" (Hemileia vastatrix), is a devastating fungus attacking the Arabica plant, currently, the coffee industry’s greatest threat. So far, $2.5 billion dollars and 500,000 jobs have been lost throughout Central America since 2012.
Forward-Looking Statements
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For additional information: http://bionovelus.com
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