Fueling Bio-inputs Surge in Brazil - ABINBIO President's Vision for An Eco-Friendly Future

Marcelo de Godoy, President of Brazilian Association of Bio-input Industries (ABINBIO)

In this exclusive interview with AgroPages, Marcelo de Godoy, President of Brazilian Association of Bio-input Industries (ABINBIO), offers valuable insights into Brazil’s burgeoning agricultural biologicals industry. 

As the nation emerges as a global leader in sustainable agriculture, biological inputs (bio-inputs) have become increasingly pivotal in addressing challenges such as pest management, plant nutrition, and environmental stewardship.

Marcelo sheds light on the remarkable growth trajectory of Brazil's bio-inputs sector, driven by factors like rising demand for eco-friendly solutions, the prevalence of phytopathogenic agents in the tropical climate, and a global shift towards regenerative agricultural practices. He highlights ABINBIO's efforts in promoting regulatory reforms, fostering innovation through public-private partnerships, and ensuring equitable access to these technologies for smallholder farmers.

Furthermore, Marcelo underscores the industry's commitment to maintaining quality standards while advocating for a favorable tax environment that nurtures growth. His vision for the future emphasizes the need for continued investment and policy support, enabling the Brazilian bio-inputs industry to solidify its position as a global reference for cutting-edge manufacturing and leading-edge technologies.

As the world grapples with the imperative of achieving food security while minimizing environmental impacts, this interview offers valuable perspectives on the role of agricultural biologicals in shaping a more sustainable future for Brazilian agriculture and beyond.

Can you provide an overview of Brazil's agricultural bio-inputs industry's current status and growth trajectory? What are the key drivers fueling this expansion?

The use of bio-inputs by farmers has been growing significantly in Brazil, with an average growth rate exceeding 40% over the past ten years. This trend encourages Brazilian entrepreneurs to invest increasingly in modern industrial plants with high production capacities, state-of-the-art research centers, and public-private partnerships to develop new technologies. These technologies will be critical tools in pest and disease management programs and plant nutrition.

This situation encourages more producers to adopt Brazilian bio-inputs, providing the confidence to use these sustainable tools on their farms.

Another important factor driving the growth of Brazilian bio-inputs is the pressure from pests and diseases in our agricultural systems. Being a tropical country with increasing irrigated cultivation areas, Brazil creates a favorable environment for the proliferation of phytopathogenic agents.

Lastly, the global trend towards less impactful and more regenerative agriculture is propelling the use of microbiological tools, positioning them as the ideal alternative for this new production model.

ABINBIO has been actively lobbying legislative authorities on various bio-inputs bills. Can you elaborate on the regulatory challenges the industry is facing and how ABINBIO is working to address them?

ABINBIO has been actively expanding the debate on the regulatory framework for bio-inputs. The Brazilian industry and its technologies should be considered a national treasure with enormous potential for job and income generation, and ensuring food security and national agriculture sovereignty. Our challenge is maintaining minimum quality criteria for producing biopesticides, ensuring consumer safety. Thus, our association advocates for regulations that set similar rules for production both in the industry and on farms that wish to produce their own bio-inputs.

How is ABINBIO collaborating with government agencies to strengthen the bio-inputs sector and foster innovation?

In Brasília, we strive to demonstrate the operational model of the legal industry to our leaders, highlighting the need for appropriate regulation for the sector. Additionally, we promote innovation through public-private partnership models, bringing resources for investment in research, industrial development, and creating increasingly technological tools for farmers.

One of ABINBIO's goals is to ensure democratic access to bio-inputs for smallholder farmers. What specific initiatives or partnerships is the association pursuing to achieve this objective?

Our members are committed to working with the government to develop a model that grants small producers access to technology through packaging suitable for small properties and direct access via small cooperatives and associations. This will enable small producers to access certified technologies, produce safe and quality food with traceability, add value to their production, and improve their family income.

Given the importance of bio-inputs for sustainable agriculture and food security, what role can ABINBIO play in promoting their increased adoption among Brazilian farmers?

ABINBIO is becoming a key player in increasing the adoption of biological inputs by rural producers. Our association is actively promoting the importance of using bio-inputs as management tools for agricultural crops and disseminating information about the quality of the national industry and technologies developed in the country.

Brazil, being a continental country with many agricultural frontiers yet to be explored, has the potential to significantly increase productivity in already cultivated areas. For this to materialize, producers must use innovative and safe technologies, ensuring greater quantity and quality of production.

What are ABINBIO's priorities regarding regulatory reform and policy advocacy in the coming years?

We seek appropriate regulation to maintain product quality and a tax model that does not burden the industry and rural producers using microbiological technologies produced in Brazil.

As the President of ABINBIO, what is your vision for the future of the bio-inputs industry in Brazil, and how does the association plan to contribute to realizing this vision?

The Brazilian bio-inputs industry is already a global reference, boasting the sector’s most modern manufacturing structures and leading technologies. To continue growing, entrepreneurs must have the necessary security to keep investing in the sector. ABINBIO supports creating public policies that provide protection for the industry and ensure that rural producers have access to registered and guaranteed technologies.

Finally, are there any other challenges or opportunities that you believe the bio-inputs industry in Brazil should be aware of and prepared to address?

The main challenge is to be prepared to meet the growing demand from the field. We must become an increasingly strong and solid industry to ensure our partner, the rural producer feels confident to continue increasing the adoption of national microbiological technologies.

This story was initially published in the 2024 Latin America Focus. Download the magazine to read more stories.

Please contact Christina Xie at christina@agropages.com if you would like to share your company story, contribute articles or advertising with AgroPages.