Director of Bayer's Crop Protection Portfolio for Latin America talks about the technology of the new cultivars

Fabio Prata, graduated from the Federal University of Paraná in agronomy, followed by a Master's and Doctorate from the Escola Superior de Agicultura (ESALQ). He is currently Director of Bayer’s Crop Protection Portfolio for Latin America. In an interview with Global Crop Protection Team, Fabio talked about their Intacta2 Xtend Platform.

New technologies are emerging in the pesticide market, such as Xtend. So, how does it contribute to the development of crop protection?

It is essential to understand that Intacta2 Xtend is not a pesticide but a solution that we call the Intacta2 Xtend Platform, as it encompasses solutions in biotechnology and pesticides. It is a solution that allows you to produce more per hectare, reducing the environmental impact and smarter and more efficient decision-making.

This is the second soy biotechnology launched outside the United States and, again, dedicated to Latin America. It provides more comprehensive protection against the main caterpillars of the soybean crop, expanding its defense scope against relevant species such as Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera cosmioides. In addition, varieties with Intacta2 Xtend and Refúgio Xtend technology are tolerant to dicamba and glyphosate herbicides.

What is Bayer's strategy for marketing and disseminating this technology so that the producer understands its benefits?

We want Bayer to be recognized as the company that most generates value for Brazilian rural producers. For this, from the conception of the technology, we work collaboratively with farmers and experts from the Experts i2x group, to understand their needs. Even before the launch of the Intacta2 Xtend platform, partner producers tested biotechnology in more than 500 areas across the country. Since then, results and lessons have been shared with our customers at major agricultural fairs in the country, in addition to specific events.

Among the many actions to disseminate the great results obtained so far, Intacta launched Liga i2x, a productivity contest to recognize and reward with trips the producers who reach new productivity levels with the platform. In addition, as of the 2022-23 harvest, we value the relationship with our customers through a cashback program. Producers who choose to plant at least 10% of their total areas with soybean varieties with Intacta2 Xtend technology and/ or Xtend Refúgio will receive R$15.00 per hectare planted with both the i2x, Xtend Refúgio and Intacta RR2 Pro varieties. To guarantee the benefit, the farmer only needs to go through the Silo or Pre-certification process to prove the planted volume and ensure the benefit that can be paid directly or exchanged for services or products.

Finally, to continue the generation of value throughout the chain, Intacta closed several partnerships with training entities such as Senar, to take training actions to field workers. We also launched a farm and crop management application, i2x Acerte, for the producer to access at any time, check the sprayer and evaluate what has been done on the farm.

Our objective with these initiatives is to expand and facilitate access to quality information for the entire chain and contribute to the day-to-day operation of the crops. In addition, our team offers full support to the farmer, counting on a highly qualified team and with the best recommendations for him to produce more efficiently and with more sustainability.
 
As this technology is resistant to glyphosate and Dicamba, it may impact the market for these inputs in the future. Currently, glyphosate is experiencing a supply shortage. How is Bayer forecasting the glyphosate market since with the implementation of this technology its consumption may change?

The companies associated with CropLife Brasil, responsible for a substantial portion of the Brazilian pesticide market, have rigorously monitored products' availability in their domestic market portfolios. The Brazilian consumption of the herbicide glyphosate is already well established, and the new biotechnologies should not increase its demand, since there is a rotation between cultivars that have been launched for some time and this new biotechnology. So far, important actives such as glyphosate, atrazine, acephate and 2,4D, for example, have shown an increase in availability compared to 2021.
 
Regarding the consumption of insecticides, how should it be impacted considering the resistance to six species of caterpillars that the new cultivar has?

In fact, there is no prospect of an impact on the consumption of pesticides. However, it is worth noting that biotechnologies, such as Intacta2 Xtend soybean, have expanded the farmer's management tools. That is, with a well-done management, it is possible to optimize the use of pesticides through more effective control.

To not jeopardize the longevity of these biotechnologies and the benefits provided by them, the producer must be aware of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and the Insect Resistance Management (MRI) actions, having as the main practice for the sustainability, the refuge, as it helps to keep biotechnologies in full operation, in the long term. The new Intacta2 Xtend platform also brought to the market three exclusive varieties for refuge planting (without Bt technology) with high yield potential and tolerance to dicamba and glyphosate herbicides, facilitating proper management.
 
In this moment of increase in the price of pesticides, how should this technology contribute to opportunities for the producer?

Intacta2 Xtend is a biotechnology that has three proteins (Cry1Ac, Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2) that protect against six caterpillars that attack the soybean crop. And this helps the producer in the task of saving on the application of pesticides, which are still necessary for the effective control of these pests. The producer who is interested in saving on the use of inputs also has the option of using digital tools, which help in the monitoring of pests and diseases, such as the Climate FieldView™ platform, which supports the producer in decision-making. Through images, generated throughout the harvest, it is possible to follow the development of the crop, both of Bt soybeans and soybeans in the refuge area. This solution makes it possible to monitor the incidence of pests so that the producer can manage them more assertively.
 
Since the national market is very dependent on the import of agrochemicals, are there other technologies to be developed that can contribute to this scenario?

One of our great goals at Bayer is to bring cutting-edge innovation to Brazilian producers. No company in the sector invests as much in R&D as Bayer: around €2 billion are invested annually in the development of solutions such as crop protection products, seeds and biotechnologies, as well as digital products and services. All of them are fundamental to increase agricultural productivity and make cultivation more sustainable, naturally reducing the use of natural resources and inputs. We have global commitments to meet by 2030. We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of crop protection, reducing agriculture's carbon footprint and empowering smallholder farmers to access more sustainable agricultural solutions.

Bayer also believes that the increasing use of digital tools in the field also contributes to the optimization of the use of resources, since decisions are made based on data and can be more effective when choosing the type and quantity of seeds per field or which pesticides are better to solve a specific problem. It is an extremely important mix between innovation and digital transformation.