On-farm production of bioinputs reduces costs – Interview with Maurício Schneider, co-founder and CRO of Solubio

If it depends on SoluBio, OnFarm production will be a global trend since its internationalization is already in Solubio's plans, and part of this plan is already underway.

Solubio was selected recently for the UNDP project with the Impact Hub called Accelerate 2030, which aims to globally scale businesses that are in a growth phase and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SoluBio is a biotechnology company created in 2016 by professionals with more than 20 years of experience in agribusiness. To offer their customers more sustainable and economical alternatives in rural activity, they launched SoluBio Experience, a complete solution for producing OnFarm bioinputs, which offers integrated technology with industrial standards, all equipment, inputs, quality control, training, and assistance.

SoluBio has the most modern bioinput factory in Latin America, with more than 650 employees, a scientific team with more than 30 PhDs and five Post-Doctorates, and the "dream to democratize the OnFarm Biological Management globally". It is a company that is part of the UN Global Compact. Check out the interview with Maurício Schneider, Co-Founder and CRO of Solubio.

Maurício Schneider, Co-Founder and CRO of Solubio

What solution does the company deliver to the producer?

In a simplified way, we can say that we are the Nespresso of agribusiness. We provide the machine, the capsule, and the technical assistance for the farmer to produce his bioinput on the farm.

The production of OnFarm biological inputs is done within the farm itself. Structures are assembled in industrial standard isopanels where machinery made of 100% stainless steel is installed, in addition to equipment for temperature control, air injection, and microbiological filters that guarantee the degree of purity in the concentrated production of bioinputs.
Upon receiving the biological input from SoluBio, the producer can multiply it in his OnFarm biofactory and apply it in his farming, having his production.

Are Solubio's customers only large agricultural companies, or are there small and medium-sized producers?

Today, the customer profile that SoluBio serves are producers with areas above 1000ha, ‘technified’. They already have a history of innovation with a technical team (administrator/agronomist) measuring results. This is the customer profile that can measure the results and the benefit of the tool Solubio offers. However, this does not mean that customers smaller than 1000ha cannot use SoluBio's technology.

What is the advantage, the benefit of producing OnFarm biopesticides?

Producing biopesticides on the farm is a more economical alternative: in a soybean crop, for example, it is possible to reduce the management cost by 70%.

The main advantages are that the producer is independent of any issue that could harm the sending of inputs. As a result, he becomes practically self-sufficient and reduces GHG emissions, as he no longer depends on transport. In addition, his production never stops, as it no longer depends on imported products that can undergo major price changes.

The main precautions revolve only around the need to avoid external contamination in the bioinputs, as this can cause the loss of bacteria or fungi or interfere with their quality. Because of this, it is essential to be careful with the asepsis of the place, the water used in the tanks, etc. (SoluBio monitors the entire process).

When comparing the use and production of bio-inputs with chemicals, we are talking about a gain even for the producer and his collaborators. There are no major risks involved as there are when we discuss chemicals and the health of producers.

Why is it essential to have experts while building a biofactory?

The solution offered by SoluBio is not a biofactory built by experts but a precision integrated biological management system called "SoluBio Experience 3.0": (i) BioTech OnFarm, (ii) LabFarm, (iii) BioFábrica OnFarm^®, (iv) OnFarm^® Inputs, (v) OnFarm Quality Control, (vi) OnFarm Agronomic Efficiency and (vii) OnFarm Education:

• BioTecH OnFarm

Aiming at the success of OnFarm biological management, we seek complementary solutions to the production of bioinputs, such as metagenomic analysis of the soil, sensors for quality control of multiplication, advances in application technology such as radiometers, equipment and product compatibility, and other solutions necessary for the continuous process innovation.

• LabFarm

There is a laboratory in isopanel structures or containers for easy installation. We develop complete and ideal projects that meet your needs with industrial standards and automated operations.

• OnFarm Biofactory

Our biofactories have automated equipment of a 100% stainless steel structure, with temperature control, air injection, and microbiological filters, among others. There is everything that guarantees the quality, purity, and efficiency of the process of multiplication of bioinputs.

• OnFarm Inputs

We deliver pure and traceable pre-inocula and culture media, anti-foam, and sanitizers. Our culture media is specific for each group of microorganisms and undergoes modern sterilization processes, ensuring the absence of contaminants.

• OnFarm Quality Control

In addition to the on-site LabFarm, we have a network of accredited external laboratories to conduct quality control tests on the multiplied products. All this is within the customer success sector, where our LabFarm quality team provides support in implementing and monitoring customer operations, performing checklists and audits, and keeping our platform updated with all information.

• OnFarm Agronomic Efficiency

A team of agronomists dedicated to carrying out training, creating and monitoring crop management plans, monitor and evaluate the performance of products. They conduct analyses of the indices, physiological and phytosanitary of the crop, training, field days, lectures, and prepare harvest reports.

• OnFarm Education

We invested in an OnFarm Biological Management education platform with content on microorganisms, multiplication processes, agricultural management, product evaluation, engineering, and regulatory protocols. This was done to ensure agility in the workforce. Our education strategy also includes participation in undergraduate and graduate courses.

What is the biggest difficulty to overcome?

Our "Big Dream" is to democratize the use of biologicals through OnFarm production and consequently eliminate the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture globally. But like the entire process of democratization and innovation, there are many challenges. These challenges range from the creation of regulatory frameworks to lobbying for competition, through a change in the farmer's mindset concerning biological products and about OnFarm production. As with any innovation, so many myths and prejudices need to be broken, and this is a long job of "evangelizing" the market.

Will producing OnFarm be a trend in Brazil? How do you design the future?

If it depends on SoluBio, OnFarm production will be a global trend. Its internationalization is already in Solubio's plans and part of this plan is already underway. Solubio was recently selected for the UNDP project with the Impact Hub called Accelerate 2030, which aims to globally scale businesses that are in a growth phase and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)