National bio-inputs programme

Brazil creates National Bio-Inputs Program

By Leonardo Gottems

Soybean plantation in southern Brazil.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) recently announced the creation of the National Bio-Inputs Program (PNB), with the objective of boosting the use and market of biological fertilizers and pesticides in the country. In an exclusive, New AG International interviewed the initiative’s coordinator, Alessandro Cruvinel, who presented the current panorama and performance of
bio-inputs in Brazil for the June 2021 edition of New AG International.

How do you evaluate the performance of the
bio-input market last year?

The 2019-20 harvest was very important for the bio-input market in Brazil. Globally, the biopesticide segment grows at rates of 15 percent, according to international consultancy firm DunhamTrimmer. In Brazil, the increase reached 28 percent in revenue in 2020, according to data from consultancy firm Spark Smarter Decisions.

In terms of area, the participation of soy area treated with biodefensives stands out, from 14 percent to 21 percent with at least one application of bio-based products. If this average growth continues, it is estimated that in the 2021-22 harvest, more than half of the soybean area will have

already received at least one application of biodefensive.

The country now has the National Bio-Inputs Program, which was launched by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture in 2020. The program includes a strategic council made up of representatives of public and private organizations and will define priorities such as the regulatory issue to bring security to the sector. In addition, it will determine the credit for the area of science, technology and innovation (CT&I) and for the creation of so-called “bio-factories” in addition to online training to reach the largest possible audience in the guidance on the use and execution of good practices with these products.

As a consequence, we believe these measures will expand the use of bio-inputs, especially in crop protection,

Alessandro Cruvinel,
National Program Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply

going from the current 2.6 percent of products used in agriculture to 20 percent by 2025, reaching R$2 billion in annual revenue (US$360 million, April 2021 exchange).

We also believe Brazil is moving towards becoming a leader in this market, currently led by countries in Europe and North America. All of this will translate into lower production costs and greater competitiveness for Brazilian products and, especially, to strengthen the adoption of sustainable practices in our agriculture.

What were the highlights among the biodefensives?

In 2020, the biodefensives segment had a turnover of approximately USD 307 million, 93 percent of which originates from four crops: soy (64 percent), sugar cane (18 percent), corn (six percent) and cotton (five percent). Considering the different categories, the highlight is bionematicides, which represent 36 percent of this market, followed by bioinsecticides, inoculants and biofungicides.

A survey by Spark consultancy shows that 90 percent of soy producers – who used biodefensives – when asked if they would reapply, responded positively, demonstrating confidence in this defensive category.

Also noteworthy is the sugar cane culture, which uses bio-based products, which already cover 45 percent of the entire planted area, as a result of the level of organization of the plants and their research and development and production integration programs.

How do you evaluate
the current panorama
of biostimulants and
special biological
fertilizers in Brazil?

Initially, it is necessary to explain that there are issues of different nomenclature and definitions between Brazil and other European countries and the United States. The focus here will be on biofertilizers and biostimulants that are treated in Brazil as inoculants and biofertilizers, respectively.

In the case of inoculants, Brazil has generated innovative technologies such as biomaphos, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria that have the potential to generate savings of USD 40 billion. This value represents an estimate of phosphorus already applied, but not available, for plants in Brazilian agricultural areas. As the country concentrates 20 percent of the planet's biodiversity and institutions with rich collections of microorganisms with the potential to be used as inoculants (biofertilizers) and as biofertilizers (biostimulants), a new movement of development of new products with great potential is already taking place, since agriculture in Brazil is of a gigantic scale.

Therefore, any reduction in the use of chemical fertilizer represents many fewer tons, less dependence on imported fertilizers, less greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable agriculture. Finally, we identified that. This market is expected to grow at rates above 15 percent in other countries and a growth trend of at least 28 percent per year is already being identified.

We believe Brazil is moving towards becoming a leader in the bio-inputs market.

How can the National
Bio-Inputs Program contribute to the growth
of the vegetable nutrition sector?

The contribution can be made, at least, on three fronts of the National Bio-Inputs Program: a) expansion of innovation by heating the innovation ecosystems and connecting private companies with research institutions that today have 23 collections with tens of thousands of microorganisms already identified, thus accelerating the generation of new products, creating new startups in the sector and development of partnerships in open innovation; b) adjustment in the regulation theme, making the registration of products less bureaucratic, but maintaining the safety and effectiveness of the products; c) training of technicians combined with genetic engineering and agriculture 4.0, which requires professionals with other skills and competencies, understanding the theme Bio with Bite forming the B2 that should be the new revolution in world agriculture.

Just as an example, there is a startup on the market that will survey the genetic profile of microorganisms in the soil and the bio-inputs can be customized according to what is in the soil, becoming a much more efficient application, considering genetics of the soil microbiota.
This scenario is already a reality, but there is a need for professionals who understand how to use these new tools, and the National Bio-Inputs Program will support this revolution.

In 2020, the biodefensives segment had a turnover of approximately
USD 307 million.

Is the biggest movement and investment in this sector on the part of Brazilian or foreign industries?

The production of bio-based products has fewer entry barriers than the production of synthetic products. In this sense, we can observe an increase in the number of small- and medium-sized companies participating in this market. We do not yet have exact billing data by group of national or international companies, but we are in the process of contracting a survey for this purpose.

How do you project the performance of the bio-input sector in 2021? And in the medium and long term?

The projection is for accelerated growth. We believe that if the indicated increase rates are maintained, we can arrive in 2021 with four percent of the total pesticide market, and 20 percent in 2025.

A number higher than the global market share projected by consulting companies like DunhamTrimmer would be 10 percent. This is because Brazil is having a good time, especially with the development of the National Bio-Inputs Program and with several sectors making investments both in production and in research, development and innovation in the area●

This market is expected to grow at rates above 15 percent in other countries and a growth trend of at least 28 percent per year is already being identified.