Altus: Create impact biological solutions with Streptomyces spp. to improve worldwide agriculture

″I think product stability and achieving the highest efficacy is a challenge. We have been innovating and improving the quality of formulations for a long while. Today, our liquid products are stored at room temperature for up to a year and a half to two years, without a need for cold storage. We have also developed microencapsulated WDG formulations and the same is undergoing efficacy trials,″ said Ganesh Yanadi, CEO at Altus Biotechnology in a recent interview with AgroPages.

He also shared his views on Altus' core competitiveness, product lines&special features, the challenges of biological formulation and application, as well as business model etc..

Ganesh Yanadi, CEO at Altus Biotechnology

Could you introduce Altus Biotechnology, global outreach and core competitiveness?
 
Altus is a science and research-driven agricultural biotechnology company offering a wide range of solutions for crop protection based on Streptomyces spp.  We are one of the very few successful and highly specialised companies in the segment. Altus was established in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The technology and products are patented and specialised for not only high-value crops but also many conventional crops, offering alternative tools and an innovative mode of action. All products are registered in Mexico under OECD guidelines as biologicals or biopesticides, along with OMRI certification. To ensure superior quality and efficacy, we strictly control end to end process. We are in the global expansion, and actively looking for partners across important markets.

Could you give us an overview of Altus Biotechnology’s product lines, their special features, modes of action, applications and how they bring innovation to crops?

Castell is a bio fungicide for effective control of soil born diseases such as Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Fusarium and Verticillium in number crops horticultural crops, berries and grapes. It is powered by two unique actinomycetes strains.

Blite Free is a bio fungicide for foliar applications with mesosystemic activity to control Botrytis, Rust, Powdery mildew and Alternaria in fruits and vegetables.

Bio-Axin is a novel biological insecticide that offers fact action control of Thrips in horticultural crops and plantations

Xilo-Nemax is an innovative broad spectrum nematicide to control root-knot nematodes.

Akarymax is multiple action acaricide effective for the control of the different stages of mites in several crops.

What are your product development strategies and your plans to launch new products?

We have several products under development and some of those products will go for field trials the next autumn. We are also testing biological seed treatment and post-harvest products.

Could you talk about Altus Biotechnology’s R&D, technology and production facilities and relevant capabilities?
 
Altus´ R&D is led by a highly experienced team of multi-disciplined experts, focusing on Streptomyces spp strains. Its in-house research and development, and strict quality control from end-to-end manufacturing at Guadalajara, Mexico.  Strains are patented and protected. At present, we specialised in liquid formulations, however, we are conducting field efficacy trials with microencapsulated WDG formulations.

What are the challenges of biological formulation and how do you overcome them?  Could you share some of your innovation formulation technologies?

I think product stability and achieving the highest efficacy is a challenge. We have been innovating and improving the quality of formulations for a long while. Today, our liquid products are stored at room temperature for up to a year and a half to two years, without a need for cold storage. We have also developed microencapsulated WDG formulations and the same is undergoing efficacy trials.

What is your business model and the criteria in choosing partners? How does Altus Biotechnology combine products with service?  Is there any plan to extend new markets?
 
We have a fully dedicated team in Mexico, providing both technical assistance, field data and round-the-clock customer support to retailers and growers of fruits and vegetables, including Citrus, Banana, Papaya, Avocado and Agave. We also closely work with fresh produce downstream partners in the region. Most of our retailers are highly specialised in the crop segment and aware of the long-term benefits of biologicals, and most importantly open to innovation in the spraying program or integrated crop management.

We have just started registrations in most Latin American countries such as Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica. At an initial stage in some African countries, the USA and Europe.  We are also actively looking for collaborators and partners in Asian markets.

What are the biggest challenges of biological application? How can biological be used to give the best returns?

The perception is that biologicals cannot produce similar efficacy as chemicals, biologicals cannot be mixed with other chemicals or biologicals. And last but not least is the perception that biologicals are too expensive.  

We recommend alternate applications in integrated crop management where biologicals are applied as a preventive application if possible, and applications before harvest to reduce crop residuals.  

Mexico is an important food producer and exporter. Some fruit and vegetable products enjoy a good reputation all over the world. Will the growing demand for highquality food drive agricultural companies to develop more biologics and promote the application rate of these products in crops in Mexico?

You are right, Mexico is one of the important producers and exporters of several high quality fruits and vegetables in the world.  Strong initiatives toward organic farming due to various reasons known to us, and increasing consumer awareness is driving the growth of biologicals in Mexican agriculture. Globally lesser known crops such as Agave are one of the growing crop segments for Biologicals today. Given the challenges and opportunities, the market is very encouraging for more biological innovations, including increased applications within the crop segment.  It is estimated that the biological segment is expected to grow 13-14% annually.

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