The Time For Biologicals

Date:03-17-2023

As a company, Rizobacter is developing the most environmentally friendly technologies to address the adverse effects of the climate crisis. Our contributions will regenerate the richness of our soils and provide tools for higher crop yields.

We are focused on making agriculture better, seeking to make an evolutionary leap in the production chain and involving all parties in the process. We are part of a group of companies committed to innovation through scientific and technological development to achieve more efficient and sustainable processes.

We know that agriculture, as part of the food production chain, is relevant in carbon emissions. But we also know that, with the synergy of biotechnologies, more sustainable practices and precision agriculture, it is possible to better manage our footprint on the environment, and go from being emitters to aiders of carbon sequestering in our soils. This improves both soil health and food production. 

The key to this is to begin to bring new solutions to the table. The use of biological technologies, as tools derived from nature, to achieve increased crop yields is one of the most concrete solutions to overcome the dilemma of higher production or care for the environment.

Maintaining healthy agroecosystems is key to aspire to a sustainable productive development. These concepts are essential for Rizobacter, associated with the value chain of the agricultural sector, and are deeply rooted in the purpose of our daily work and in the products we offer to the market.

We are focused on a new generation of products that trigger a virtuous circle in which the well-being of the plant is in harmony with the soil and the entire environment it inhabits. Knowing in depth the nutrition and protection services provided by the millions of microorganisms present in the soil, such as bacteria, fungi and plant extracts, is another great challenge that we at Rizobacter have been taking on for 45 years as an engine for the growth of the company and the field.

Our company is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of agricultural microbiologies to promote crop nutrition and protection. As pioneers, we developed a biofertilizer market that accompanied the expansion of soybean cultivation. Today, with a greater awareness of our responsibility to care for the health of the agroecosystem, as producers and consumers, we are observing a paradigm shift that is also reflected in the market for inputs of biological origin. 

The projection of this market for the coming years is extremely positive, with annual growth rates of 15% globally. This scenario ensures the appearance of new products and new technologies, a great deal of investment in the business, new commercial alliances, and further research and development. According to the Argentine Chamber of Bioinputs, by 2025, products worth US$11 billion will be marketed globally.

If we pay attention to the discussions taking place in the European Commission, there it is proposed to reduce the use of chemical synthesis products by half by 2030. This opens a great window of opportunity to advance in more sustainable practices and technologies capable of solving the food crisis facing the planet.

The transition has begun, and while there are still voices questioning new regulations, we need to look to the future and plan for more sustainable food systems, including the development of alternative technologies that are healthier for soil biodiversity.

We are very excited about what is to come, positioned as one of the most important suppliers of biologicals globally, which will enable us to bring 18 new technologies to Latin American markets, from more revolutionary projects such as bioherbicides to others of equal importance - but already more established - such as biofungicides, bioinsecticides and bionematicides. We also rely on our close ties with agricultural producers, which encourage and facilitate dialogue and favor the joint transition to a more sustainable system, to a better agriculture.

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This article was initially published in AgroPages' 'Annual Review 2022' magazine.