R&D and regulatory challenges will define the expansion of biological inputs in Brazil

Date:11-13-2024

Despite significant progress, the biological inputs sector in Brazil faces major challenges, including the need for more investment in research and development (R&D) and the bureaucracy of industry regulation. 

This is according to a groundbreaking study from the Bioeconomy Observatory of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV OCBio), released by CropLife Brasil (CLB) during the 2024 Brazil Biological Inputs Forum.

According to the report, consolidation and scaling up of the Brazilian biological inputs market will depend on sustained investment in innovation and more intensive collaboration between industry and academic researchers.

The coordinator of the FGV Agribusiness Studies Center, Guilherme Bastos, highlighted the need for Brazilian agriculture to expand its database and information. "A coalition between the private sector and the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) is necessary to attest to the adoption of best practices by farmers and make this information available. In this way, we will be able to demonstrate the sustainability of Brazilian agriculture and prepare in the best way for COP 30," Bastos emphasized.

For the CEO of CropLife Brasil, Eduardo Leão, the work done by FGV OCBio adds value to discussions around biological inputs in Brazil. "This analysis reinforces the importance of innovation and science for modern, sustainable agriculture. The work creates a solid foundation for promoting dialogue between the various stakeholders in the production chain and strengthens public and private initiatives on the topic," the executive assessed.

Regulatory Framework

The need for a specific regulatory framework for biological products, which is under discussion in the Brazilian National Congress, was one of the bottlenecks identified by the FGV OCBio report. According to the document, appropriate regulation should encourage innovation, provide legal certainty, and establish equal rules for registering biological inputs, also taking into account the origin of the product and not just its function.

There are currently two bills in parallel progress in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies and Senate. This regulatory framework for the sector is expected to be voted on by the end of 2024, even though there are still many disagreements between rural producer entities and the bioinputs industry, which is calling for regulation and control of the production of biological inputs to guarantee product quality and the safety of all involved.

Intellectual Property

The analysis also highlights intellectual property rights for biological inputs. "It is crucial to define appropriate regulations for both small-scale and large-scale production, in addition to implementing specific procedures with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) that encourage the patentability of biological inputs," the document stated.

Furthermore, the work also emphasizes the importance of discussions on digital sequence information (DSI) to promote the sector and avoid creating barriers to innovation. "Greater legal certainty will allow the expansion of the sector, with positive social impacts, such as job and service creation and the development of more sustainable agricultural activities," the study highlighted.

Sustainability

Finally, the report demonstrates the potential of adopting biological inputs to contribute to the environmental sustainability of the agricultural sector. "Biological inputs offer a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve soil health, promoting carbon sequestration," the study stated.

"Furthermore, their use favors the preservation of biodiversity by creating favorable conditions for beneficial organisms and minimizing impacts on non-target species," the FGV OCBio added. 

The analysis also highlighted the technology's contribution to efficient water resource management, with the potential to reduce water body contamination and improve soil water retention.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)