By Harshvardhan Bhagchandka, President, IPL Biologicals
When it comes to the use of biological solutions, the Asia Pacific region might be considered the world leader, with its developing countries leading the charge. Food security, environmental problems, and climate change can all be addressed by governments, farmers, and consumers using biological solutions. By concentrating on these elements, the area is also setting global standards for sustainable farming practices, in addition to new technologies and rising demand for organic products.
The global agriculture sector is about to enter a new era. The increase in water crises, soil degradation, and pesticide pollution is alarming. Nonetheless, solutions to these issues exist. The international markets for soil health products are developing at a significant pace, with biofertilisers, biopesticides, and biostimulants gaining substantial traction. These revolutionary products utilise the natural capabilities of bacteria, fungi, and plants, significantly reducing the use of synthetic products. Unlike traditional chemicals, biologicals work with nature for sustainable farming practices while preserving the environment.
Purchasing and marketing of biological products are proliferating in the Asia Pacific region compared to Western countries, driven by high agricultural output and climatic diversity. Faced with the issues of climate change, a food crisis, and the growth of organic product consumption, the Asia Pacific region is revolutionising the agricultural space by moving away from chemicals. India, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia are not just early adopters of these innovations. These countries are becoming leaders in production and export, making the Asia Pacific the hub of agricultural biotechnology.
Driving Factors of Growth
Biological solutions are growing rapidly across the Asia Pacific for several reasons that include the large agricultural base, increasing calls for adopting sustainable practices, government initiatives, and the private sector’s support. The impetus for this growth is the developing understanding that, over time, traditional agricultural practices—which are effective in the short run—become increasingly unsustainable due to their negative impacts on the environment.
Wide Agricultural Space with a Craving for Eco-Friendliness
China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are important agricultural giants in the Asia Pacific region, and agriculture is one of the key factors that determine the economic prospects of this region. Countless small-scale farmers employ subsistence agriculture in a bid to satisfy the food requirements of the population. However, these time-honoured farming techniques have their drawbacks, including but not limited to deterioration of soil, overuse of surface and groundwater resources, and reliance on chemically-enhanced fertilisers and pesticides.
Biological approaches provide an integrated and effective alternative to these challenges while improving the output of agricultural processes. For example, bio-fertilisers are capable of restoring essential microbes and nutrients to the soil, thus making it healthier and more productive. Natural organisms are the sources of biopesticides, which are naturally-based pesticides and do not create broad-spectrum damage, such as the detrimental effects associated with mass sprays of chemical pesticides, which kill off beneficial and pollinating insects. The sustainability issues surrounding conventional methods should, however, be reduced over time as these biological methods become more readily accepted by farmers.
Government Support and Policy Initiatives
Governments in the Asia Pacific region are playing their essential roles in supporting the adoption of biological techniques to encourage sustainable agricultural development. In India, for example, the government has many initiatives to promote organic farming and bio-based products. The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), initiates incorporating bio-fertilisers and biopesticides into agricultural practices within the larger context of improving soil health and decreasing the use of chemical fertilisers.
The Chinese government’s endeavours in biological research and development are notable; legal measures targeting the reduction of pesticide usage have also been adopted. Other key objectives of China regarding sustainability include the implementation of the “Zero Growth in Pesticide Use by 2030” policy, which aims to reduce pesticide usage by 30 per cent by the year 2030. Likewise, countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines are racing to develop policies that allow for the application of organic fertilisers and biocontrol agents, driven by increasing threats to food security and soil quality.
Government policies such as these go a long way in enhancing farmers’ acceptance of biological solutions. By subsidising bio-based products, organising educational campaigns on green farming methods, and promoting agricultural biotechnology research, governments are making the transition to sustainable agricultural practices easier and more effective.
The Process of Tech Development
There has been an increased uptake of biological solutions as other regions of the German Centre for Biotechnology have emerged in recent years. Collaborative projects for the development and commercialisation of biological products involving universities, research institutions, and industry have also increased. The biotechnology sector has contributed to creating new biological solutions that are effective, cost-efficient, and accessible to farmers. Furthermore, knowledge transfer through extension services and training programmes helps farmers understand how the latest research can be applied.
Australian researchers are at the forefront of a groundbreaking revolution in biocontrol and biostimulant technologies. Their pioneering work is transforming sustainable agriculture as we know it. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), biostimulants work as game-changing substances or microorganisms that are able to boost the natural processes of crops, enhancing their growth as well as resilience towards stress. Humic substances, seaweed extracts, and amino acids—these are just a few of the incredible biostimulants that are reshaping the future of farming.
Moreover, biocontrol agents include Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus thuringiensis, which have been intensively explored for their efficacy in controlling pests and diseases in an eco-friendly manner, without the use of chemical pesticides. These development efforts have not only assisted agriculture in Australia but have also impacted adjacent regions such as Southeast Asia and China, where these technologies are spreading fast.
The interplay of knowledge between developed countries and emerging countries has aided the adoption of biological solutions globally. Emerging countries such as India and Vietnam have integrated biostimulant and biocontrol technologies in their agricultural systems with the support of researchers focusing on crop production systems that are environmentally sustainable. As per recent reports, the incorporation of biostimulants, which include Ascophyllum nodosum (seaweed extract) and Bacillus subtilis (microbial agent), has improved the yield of crops with lesser strain on the ecosystem.
In addition, the studies of the synergism between biostimulants and biocontrol agents are also enabling the movement towards low-input and more environmentally friendly farming practices across the globe. The academic community continues to investigate the biochemical mechanisms behind these bio-based solutions, as evidenced by studies published in journals like FEMS Microbiology Letters. These advances aim not only at plant health but also aid the modernisation of agriculture as the world strives to achieve more eco-friendly farming practices. The joint efforts of the developed and emerging economies have made it easier for the farmers in India and Vietnam to adapt to these changes.
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By Harshvardhan Bhagchandka, President, IPL BiologicalsWhen it
