The bioinputs market is projected to grow to $13.56 billion between 2024-2028, driven by rising costs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, increased government support for bio-based agricultural products and the growth of the organic food sector. This growth reflects a transition towards more sustainable and ecological agricultural practices, according to a report by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
So why are there barriers to the use of different types of bio-inputs? And what is the conceptual framework in the 21st century that makes the use of bio-inputs in the fields essential? These were some of the questions raised at the 32nd Apresid Congress and After three days of debate, the importance of bioactives for sustainable production in the face of global challenges became clear.
To complete the scenario, some numbers were provided. 59% of Europeans would choose food that has been handled with environmentally friendly inputs versus the cheapest option. 51% of Europeans would pay more for food produced without fossil fuel sources. 31% of Europeans are already buying food based on environmentally and climate-friendly production. More than 77% of Europeans want to see the carbon footprint on the label. 74% of Europeans believe that companies should work on reducing carbon emissions in food.
These figures were presented during the panel “Overcoming barriers: overview of producers’ adoption of new technologies. Importance of bioinputs” which included the participation of Gustavo González Anta, scientific director of Idrasa.
Regarding the situation in Argentina and referring to why there are barriers to the use of different types of bio-inputs, González Anta pointed out that there is concern about the handling of live products, compatibility with chemical products, difficulties in adopting a new paradigm and formulations. That is why the dissemination and learning by agricultural producers about bio-inputs and their application is essential.
Sustainable and plus proposal
Driven by demand, the most traditional companies in the world of inputs are doubling their bet and have come to Aapresid with a wide variety of proposals and have made a big bet on the organic world.
Agustín Biagioni, global marketing director for Rizobacter, highlighted that Aapresid is a great meeting to talk with the producer and listen to their demands and also tell them all the news.Aapresid is a great conversation and the conversation is going towards regenerative agriculture, agriculture with less environmental impact”he stressed.
“Rizobacter has earned the right to present things as they are. With this type of microorganism, one cannot say that they have saved money here and removed it from there. Because for biologicals to take hold, certain environmental conditions must be met, the results support it and the product works very well. But saying that replacing this with this is tempting when it comes to selling, but we know that in the long term it is not going that way,” he said.
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Making an analogy between microwaves and cooking, Biagioni referred to the chemical vs. biological dilemma and said: “When the microwave was launched, it was thought that it would replace cooking, but that didn’t happen. We see that biologicals are a technology with environmental advantages and for the ecosystem and diversity, which generates less resistance than chemical alternatives and has a set of issues that will make chemical alternatives coexist with biological ones. With the environment at the center, we have to seek to lower that chemical load per hectare.”
In conclusion of the path that is being taken, he highlighted that “If the producer is convinced that the same performance and economic impact are seen as the same, he will choose the biological alternative because he knows that it means taking care of the environment and taking care of his assets.”
In addition, regarding the new European Union requirements on carbon footprint, he considered that there will be an impact on the development of biological products, but he also pointed out that “from the technological development side, this can be an accelerator, but it cannot be the engine. The engines have to be technological development that delivers performance so that the producer remains efficient.” In short, “if we need a price premium to be sustainable, by definition we are not sustainable.”
Measuring the carbon footprint
Calculating the carbon footprint is key these days to adjust practices and align production plans. Pablo Leguizamón, head of Procarbon Operations at Bayer, considered that one of the great challenges is to develop science applied to agriculture and understand the levels of greenhouse gas emissions, something fundamental for agriculture. With a map in hand, each producer can understand if they are doing well. The company developed a tool for a better calculation of the carbon footprint in each field in Argentina. “Digitization is essential,” he said about the Conecta platform.
Leguizamón pointed out that everything Argentine producers do, from direct sowing to all the technologies that are being applied, boosts the potential to position the country “as a sustainable food supplier to the world.”
But it needs to be demonstrated. “For this, digitalisation, tools and the calculation of environmental indicators such as the carbon footprint are necessary. We are now in the process of massively measuring carbon footprint, with the expectation of being able to position these grains mainly in the European Union, but they may be other markets, with an additional value that allows us to go beyond the commodity.”Leguizamón stressed, emphasizing that agricultural producers are very interested in these sustainable business opportunities.
In this new path, “it is no longer just about producing, but about being able to demonstrate how production is carried out, what tasks” are carried out. That is why the product has to have more and more organized information. “This is an entry barrier, but once this is overcome, the producer sees new benefits and is determined to be more sustainable, to produce better. Measuring begins to bring additional benefits and is very interesting,” he stressed, adding: “The most important thing is that it is not just about doing it, but that there is beginning to be recognition.”
Sustainability is a pillar of large agricultural companies and bioinputs are part of the new solutions for agriculture. Juan Pablo Migasso, Senior Manager of Crop Systems at Basf, explained that every time they launch a new product it must be more sustainable than the previous one.
He recalled that the inoculant that was officially presented in Córdoba a little over a month ago “is proof of that.” The company innovated with its formulation, making it solid. “It is a highly concentrated product, much less doses, less packaging, less plastic, less storage, less travel. That makes the technology more sustainable,” Migasso stressed.
In conclusion, he stressed that agriculture “clearly points towards sustainability and digital”, which go hand in hand. With tools and support, together with agricultural engineer advisors and producers, and with tools, it is possible to be more efficient and sustainable.
