Producers reduce costs with pesticides by 40% when using biologicals

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

Brazilian soy producers reported that spending on crop protection products is declining as a result of the expanding Integrated Pest Management with the use of biological pesticides. According to the CEO of Aprosoja Brasil (Brazilian Association of Soybean Producers), Fabrício Rosa, this is becoming increasingly necessary because the cost of production is increasing annually in the country, mainly with fungicides and insecticides.

Agronomist, Rogério Vian, from the state of Mato Grosso, claimed to have reduced the cost of agrochemicals by approximately 40% with biological products. “The expense was 45 to 48 bags per hectare and this dropped to 29 bags,” he said, while participating in the Soja Brasil Forum held at the Expodireto Cotrijal Fair earlier in March.

“This method is very efficient and costs much less when compared to chemical control. As the climate is something that cannot be controlled, the producer needs to be aware of the costs, which are within his control,” said Vian. He pointed out that there are studies, which indicate that the use of biological pesticides can reduce crop spending by up to 50%.

Vian, who cultivates an area of 400 hectares, revealed that in the complete organic area, the cost is 20 bags per hectare. With this investment, the farmer achieves a productivity of 50 bags per hectare. “And prices are higher because it is a differentiated market,” said the soybean farmer.

According to him, there is also the advantage that biological inputs are produced in Brazil, and therefore are not affected by the sharp rise in the US dollar. “I don't depend on products that come from abroad. I use many that are regionally produced,” he said.

In addition to being a producer, Vian also has a bio-factory for the multiplication and isolation of the "onfam" bacteria. He is president of the GAAS (Associated Group for Sustainable Agriculture), and insisted that Brazil is a favorable country to include biological pesticides in agriculture.

Fabrício Rosa from Aprosoja said," The country has cultivated 20 million hectares adopting biologicals to control pests and diseases. We are a country that uses the most and this market will still grow a lot. Some results are even better than chemical molecules."