Interview: Integrating Innovation and Nature, AMVAC on Advancing Biologicals Adoption in Latin America

Editor’s Note: The biological market in Latin America is one of the fastest developing sectors in the agricultural input industry. Brazil is the largest market for biologicals in Latin America, with more than 500 biological products having been registered.

Farmers in Latin America are actively seeking biological solutions for pest and disease management, nutrient supplementation, and soil health improvement. Additionally, governments in Latin America are implementing incentive programs and regulatory changes to encourage the adoption of biological inputs in agriculture. These initiatives provide valuable support and incentives for farmers, leading to market growth and greater acceptance of agricultural biologicals.

Considerable development potential is attracting the attention of all biological product manufacturers and distributors worldwide, who are accelerating the business layout of new technologies, new products and new applications related to biologicals.

Accordingly, AgroPages recently invited some key players in this field to share their insights. In this article, Jorge Solis, Commercial Manager, AMVAC LatAm shared his views over the market landscape of the biological market in Latin America, the layout, application, regulation of biologicals, opportunities and challenges for biologicals, as well as the plans to launch new biologicals in Latin America and more.

Could you describe the market landscape of the biological market in Latin America? What are the drivers, challenges and trends of the development of biologicals in this region?

Jorge Solis: Latin American farmers are moving fast towards a new concept of modern agriculture based on the integration of conventional inputs, biorationals, high-tech decision-making tools and precision application. Farmers clearly started to demand high performance tools with lower chemical load, increasing water use efficiency and carbon sequestration, restoring soil life, and finding better options to compete in a consumer market that demands sustainable actions from the field. Technology and nature are converging into better production practices and not against each other. The bonding material for this integration is knowledge. We at AMVAC are very excited to be in the forefront of this farming revolution. The new production practices will allow for continual growth of our biorational portfolio, which extends far beyond just the organic farming areas. It will cover conventional farmers who are also integrating these tools.

Could you give us an overview of your company's biologicals and their special features, application situation in Latin America? Could you share some novel approaches to production and formulation of biologicals?

Jorge Solis: At AMVAC LatAm we are aiming to have at least 25% of our revenues coming from biorational products. We are right now well positioned to reach this milestone in the very short term. Our approach is to test extensively and screen products to find the best solutions and only then, offer them to the farmer in a proper program.

Unfortunately, there are still some ″snake oils″ in the market and those products could hinder the development of the bio market, since erratic results can destroy credibility of the industry. We respect farming and only launch bio solutions that we know are high performing and are well backed by our extensive research and development team. Our own products and those from our business partners are market leaders with very strong reputations in the marketplace.

AMVAC’s GreenSolutions™ portfolio offers high performing specialized nutritional solutions and biostimulants with our brand Greenplants and biorational products under the umbrella of Amgreen. We consider those brands as a seal of strong performance, consistency, and proven solutions in the field.

What are the considerations for farmers/growers to use biologicals? How does your company educate growers and farmers on the use of biologicals?

Jorge Solis: Farmers are the top guardians of their farm environment. They see their operations not only as a business but as a way of living. They clearly understand how natural forces work and are willing to flow with them and not against them. Our task is to listen to farmers, understand their needs and pain points and work together to find the best solutions available. Farmers will use biorational solutions if they are high performing products and provide consistent results in their farm conditions with a positive financial impact. For a bioproduct to succeed, it must have consistent results, proper application, technique and timing, and price competitiveness.

What and where are the biggest opportunities and challenges for biologicals in Latin America?

Jorge Solis: Consumers are demanding lower chemical load, more efficient water use and less carbon footprint in their food. But at same time, they are not willing to pay for a higher price to cover those features. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. There shouldn’t be a yield drag when farmers use biorational options. To really take advantage of this opportunity, farmers need to have bioproducts that have equivalent performance to conventional options, while being cost competitive. Only top products and companies would be able to provide such options. We are aiming to be leaders in that space.

Additionally, we are seeing a new way of succession in Latin American farms. The people taking over farms now are the first generation who really chose to be farmers. Historically, in LatAm you had to keep working in the family’s farm, and options were limited. Now, young farmers had other options since urbanization happens fast and chose farming as a calling, and this is a cultural change. New farmers are very committed and connected to the ideas of respect for their land and heritage, sustainability, innovation and use of technology. They are open to innovation and have access to more information than in the past. It is a great moment for the implementation of biorationals.

What are the plans to launch new biologicals in Latin America? Highlight the development plan in Latin America.

Jorge Solis: Our company in LatAm has been working with top class suppliers and farmers to develop programs to overcome key challenges in tropical agriculture like black sigatoka in banana and fusarium in pineapples, for instance. We understand that in coping with such diseases or pests in a biorational manner, there is no ″silver bullet″ and instead requires a program of integrative tools. We provide comprehensive programs based on science and proven in the field. We are very excited with our future and proud of providing proven solutions for modern agriculture.

If you'd like to share your company's story and products/solutions. Please contact Grace Yuan via: grace@agropages.com