From 2021 onwards, September 23rd will be known internationally as Bioprotection Day. The initiative, by Embrapa Soja (PR) and CABI (Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International), aims to draw the attention of the productive sector to the importance of biological control and the use of bio-inputs in agriculture, in addition to transmitting technical information on the correct use of these practices. The first edition, held this Thursday virtually, brought together national and international experts to talk about the evolution, use and market of bioproducts and their relevance for the sustainable future of Brazilian agriculture.
The month of September was chosen because it marks the beginning of the agricultural harvest of grains and cereals in Brazil. According to Embrapa Soja researcher Adeney Bueno, one of the organizers of the event, raising awareness among agricultural producers regarding the importance of correct use of bio-inputs is crucial in building increasingly sustainable agriculture. He explains that the expectation is that events will be held annually on this date in Brazil and abroad in celebration of Bioprotection Day. “In addition to being safe for the environment, these practices also meet the growing demand of the consumer market, which is increasingly looking for food produced with less use of synthetic pesticides”, added Bueno.
Embrapa's Director of Research and Development, Guy de Capdeville, highlighted the importance of promoting the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture to face the scenario that presents itself for the future, with around 10 billion people to feed by 2050, and considering climate change is already a reality today, with floods and prolonged droughts in various regions of the globe. “Brazilian biodiversity is an inexhaustible source for prospecting new biological control agents. With the help of cutting-edge technologies in the areas of biotechnology, genomics and nanotechnology, it is possible to characterize them and make them available to the production sector for the development of biological products”, he pointed out.
Capdeville further explained that partnerships with national and international institutions are essential for advancing research, development and innovation (RD&I) actions in these areas, which are among the most important fronts when it comes to sustainable agriculture in Brazil. “We need to act together in a single, harmonious movement aligned with international certifying bodies to strengthen not only actions related to biological control and bio-inputs, but also zero-carbon platforms, crop-livestock-forest integration systems (ILPF), among other practices that are fundamental to the sustainability of global agriculture”, he concluded.
CABI CEO, Daniel Elger, who also participated in the opening of the event, explained that the Center is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide information and use scientific knowledge to solve problems in agriculture and the environment worldwide. Therefore, CABI today has more than 50 member countries, 11 research centers in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and around 480 professionals working at a global level.
Professor at the Luiz de Queiroz Higher School of Agriculture (Esalq/USP) José Roberto Parra presented the evolution of biological control in Brazil since the 1960s, when it began to be developed in the laboratories and experimental areas of the University itself until today. . According to Parra, the evolution is notable. The biological control practiced today in the country is professional, unlike in the beginning, when it was quite amateur.
This information was endorsed by the Executive Director of Biologicals at CropLife Brasil, Amália Borsari, who stated that biological products have been undergoing technological transformations over the last few decades. “Thanks to modern biotechnology and genomic tools, among others, technological solutions in this area present high performance, which increases their scope of use. The idea of using biodefensive products only in organic systems is a thing of the past. Today, bio-based products are adapted to major commodities, such as soy, sugarcane and coffee, among others,” she said.
Embrapa Soja researcher Claudine Seixas also reinforced technological support in the areas of biological control and bio-inputs. The Unit has maintained collections of entomopathogenic microorganisms (specific for controlling insects) for pest control, such as fungi, viruses and bacteria, for decades. From time to time, molecular characterization techniques have been improved with the use of interfering RNA (RNAi) – the same technology used in the development of vaccines against Covid19. “In addition, we are working to increase the technological framework for the development of multifunctional products”, she added.
Parra explains that a large part of this evolution is explained by investments in science and technology, which led to knowledge, which ranges from the mass creation of biological control agents in research and teaching institutions to characterization and multiplication procedures, which result in the development of bioproducts.
The professor also recalled that agriculture 4.0 today has a strong influence on biological control, especially through its application in large areas with the use of drones.
He points out that some challenges still need to be overcome, such as specific legislation for the sector, stricter quality control protocols and logistics improvements for the adequate storage of products.
Parra also points out cultural changes among Brazilian farmers, who are now more confident in biocontrol practices. “Currently, Brazil annually increases more than twice the global use, which is 10 to 15%”, he emphasized.
“Today we have more than 400 biological products registered in the country. Brazil is already a leader in tropical agriculture in the world. With investments in RD&I, we will soon also be the largest user of biological control in tropical regions”, concluded the professor.
Amália also recalled that the country is already in the third generation of biological products, with more than 100 companies with active product registrations. “Each registered product brings with it a wealth of technologies, including biotechnology, RNAi, inoculants, plant extracts and peptides, among others. “Brazil currently occupies around 5% of the world market, but has great potential for growth”, she pointed out.
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