Farmers embrace steam-treated seeds as a chemical-free pest control method

A Swedish invention called ThermoSeed is offering farmers a sustainable, chemical-free alternative to seed treatment, using steam to kill pests and keep seeds healthy.

Inês Trindade Pereira reports for Euronews.

In short:

• ThermoSeed uses steam to replace chemicals in treating seeds, offering a cleaner and safer alternative for farmers.
• The method, which has succeeded in Sweden and Norway, is now expanding globally as its creator aims to reach smaller markets.
• Farmers appreciate its benefits, including reduced dust exposure and the ability to reuse leftover seeds as animal feed.

Key quote:

“The bags with the seed, when you open them, can be quite dusty and you get this all over you. That is not the case with ThermoSeed—it’s much easier to handle.”

— Gustaf Silén, Swedish farmer

Why this matters:

Chemical-free farming methods like ThermoSeed reduce environmental impact and improve working conditions. If widely adopted, this could lead to healthier food production and lower agricultural pollution.

Related:

• Report calls out worst produce for pesticides—strawberries, spinach top list
• Hold the plum pudding: US food sampling shows troubling pesticide residues
• The uphill battle for communities that ban pesticides