GreenLight Biosciences plans to invest up to US$100 million to establish a production facility for RNA-based crop protection products in the Mexico City metropolitan area, positioning Mexico to produce what the company describes as the world’s first RNA biofungicide.

The project is expected to create about 500 specialized jobs. GreenLight says the facility will require an investment of between $50 million and $100 million and will initially produce two products, with plans to develop additional RNA-based crop protection solutions.

The products use ribonucleic acid (RNA) to target specific genes in pests or disease-causing fungi. The approach is designed to provide targeted control while minimizing impacts on other organisms and avoiding persistent residues in soil, water and crops.

GreenLight founder and CEO Andrey Zarur said the company’s products are the result of more than a decade of research and field trials in Mexico and 20 other countries. Mexican authorities approved the products in nine months, according to the company.

The first products will target crops including avocados, strawberries, grapes and cucumbers, with corn and cotton among the crops targeted for future development.

One product is designed to control spider mites, which affect crops including avocados, strawberries and citrus. GreenLight estimates mite damage costs the Mexican agricultural sector about 20 billion pesos (US$1.17 billion) annually.

The second product targets powdery mildew, a fungal disease affecting crops such as grapes, strawberries and cucumbers. GreenLight estimates the disease causes about 10 billion pesos (US$587 million) in annual crop losses in Mexico. The product is already being used on grapes in Baja California.

GreenLight also plans to develop additional products for strategic crops, including cotton.