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By Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder, Bionema Group, Wales, United Kingdom

The agricultural landscape is profoundly transforming as the global drive toward sustainability accelerates. The sector’s projected growth to a staggering $1.2 trillion by 2034 signals immense economic potential and underscores a significant shift toward environmentally responsible farming practices. With the agricultural biologicals market forecasted to surge from $16.7 billion in 2024 to $31.8 billion by 2029 (Markets and Markets, 2024), alongside significant expansions in agrochemicals and organic food markets, we are on the brink of a revolution in how food is grown, protected, and consumed.

Unprecedented Growth in Agricultural Biologicals

The global agricultural biological market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5 per cent, reaching $31.8 billion by 2029. Agricultural biologicals—including biopesticides, biofertilisers, and biostimulants—are essential to sustainable farming practices. These products enhance crop protection, improve nutrient efficiency, and restore soil health while avoiding the environmental damage associated with synthetic chemicals.

Several key factors are driving this shift:

•Consumer Demand for Organic Produce: Globally, consumers increasingly seek natural, chemical-free products, pushing farmers to adopt biological alternatives.

•Stricter Regulations: Governments in Europe, North America, and other regions are implementing stricter controls on chemical inputs, speeding up the transition to biologicals.

•Environmental Awareness: The adverse effects of chemical-intensive farming on ecosystems are becoming more apparent. Biologicals offer a sustainable solution with minimal environmental harm.

Regional Drivers of Growth

The Asia-Pacific region is set to be a significant growth engine for agricultural biologicals. Countries like India and China, with vast agricultural sectors and growing populations, are increasingly focusing on sustainable farming practices. Thanks to its stringent regulatory environment, Europe continues to play a leading role, mainly through the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in pesticide use by 2030.

The U.S. market is expanding rapidly in North America due to increased investment in biological research and innovation. Latin America, especially Brazil, is emerging as a critical player in biologicals, driven by its leadership in organic farming and alternatives to agrochemicals.

Agrochemicals: A Market in Transition

Despite the rise of biologicals, the agrochemicals market is expected to grow from $365.6 billion in 2024 to $491.69 billion by 2032 (Market Research Future, 2024). However, the narrative surrounding agrochemicals is shifting. Farmers are increasingly adopting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that combine biologicals with synthetic chemicals, balancing yield targets with environmental sustainability.

Agrochemicals will still play a role in global food production, but their use will increasingly be complemented by biological solutions to reduce environmental impact. This hybrid approach is critical in regions where fully transitioning to biological methods is not feasible due to scale, cost, or other constraints.

Organic Food: A Powerhouse Market

The global organic food market is forecasted to rise from $228.35 billion in 2024 to $658.38 billion by 2034 (Precedence Research, 2024). This reflects a significant shift in consumer preferences toward healthier, environmentally friendly food choices.

Organic farming emphasises sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health, making agricultural biologicals a natural fit for this market. Biopesticides, biofertilisers, and biostimulants are at the core of organic farming systems, replacing chemical inputs with natural solutions aligned with organic certification principles. Countries like Germany, the U.S., and France lead this trend, with robust organic farming sectors and consumers willing to pay premiums for organic products.

Regulatory frameworks shaping the market

The regulatory landscape is pivotal to the growth of agricultural biologicals. In the European Union, the regulatory framework has become increasingly favourable for biologicals, particularly with the implementation of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, which promote sustainable food systems and aim to reduce pesticide use significantly. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also streamlined the biopesticide registration process, encouraging faster adoption.

In Brazil, one of the world’s largest agricultural markets, regulatory reforms have accelerated the approval of biological products. The country’s leadership in organic farming and favourable policy environment make it a key player in driving biological adoption in Latin America. Similarly, India has introduced initiatives through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its Farm Science Centres (KVKs) network to promote biological products.

However, challenges remain, particularly in harmonising regulations across regions. Global regulatory collaboration is necessary to establish consistent standards, reduce registration bottlenecks, and foster innovation.

Key trends driving growth

1.Innovations in Microbial Technology: Microbial research advances enable the development of highly effective biological products that target specific pests, improve nutrient uptake, and enhance plant resilience. Innovations in formulation technologies, such as encapsulation and controlled-release systems, are improving the stability and efficacy of biologicals, making them more viable for large-scale farming.

2.Consumer Awareness and Organic Certification: As consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of their food choices, demand for organic and sustainably produced food is rising. This shift drives the need for biological inputs that meet organic certification standards, further boosting the adoption of biological solutions.

3.Climate-Smart Agriculture: Agriculture significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural biologicals, particularly soil microbes, play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration, improving soil health, and reducing the carbon footprint of farming practices.

Despite rapid growth, the agricultural biologicals market faces several challenges:

•Regulatory Hurdles: Fragmented regulatory environments across regions slow the approval process for new biological products. Harmonising regulations will be vital in accelerating innovation and adoption.

•Farmer Education and Confidence: Many farmers remain sceptical of biological products due to a lack of knowledge or previous experiences with ineffective or ingenuine products. Education and field demonstrations are essential for building farmer confidence and ensuring widespread adoption.

• Supply Chain and Scalability: The infrastructure needed to produce, store, and distribute biological products at scale is still developing. Investments in supply chain logistics, cold storage, and distribution networks will be critical to meeting future demand.

The Future of Sustainable Agriculture

The $1.2 trillion surge in the agricultural biologicals, agrochemicals, and organic food markets reflects more than just economic growth—it signals a global commitment to transforming agriculture into a sustainable, eco-friendly industry. As the world grapples with climate change, food security, and environmental degradation, the rise of agricultural biologicals offers a pathway to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Innovations in microbial technology, growing consumer demand for organic products, and favourable regulatory frameworks are positioning agricultural biologicals as a cornerstone of global food production. By investing in these sustainable solutions today, we are laying the foundation for a future where agriculture feeds the world and preserves the planet for generations to come.

Agriculture is no longer just about yields; it’s about balancing productivity with responsibility. As the agricultural biological sector evolves, it is poised to create a future where farming is both economically viable and ecologically sound.

By Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder,

Company’s goal is to lead the way in biological agriculture technology, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.

Bionema Group, a UK-based R&D company and winner of the King’s Award for Innovation announced a tender for marketing its groundbreaking range of environmentally friendly plant health management products for agriculture, horticulture, sports turf, and forestry. These innovative solutions are designed to enhance plant health, reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers, increase crop performance and yields, and improve soil health.

In response to growing public concern over the impact of synthetic fertilisers on soil health and the environment, Bionema is committed to providing comprehensive, eco-friendly alternatives.  Bionema’s extensive collection of researched biostimulants and biofertilisers offers practical solutions tailored for greenkeepers, racecourse managers, groundsmen, farmers, and foresters.  This initiative builds on Bionema’s product and technology acquisition by Syngenta in 2021, reinforcing our position as a global leader in plant health management, and introduces products based on advanced Biofilm technology.

Bionema has been at the forefront of developing sustainable agricultural products at Swansea University, Wales, headquarters for decades. Our growth aligns with evolving market demands, particularly in light of the EU’s commitment to reducing synthetic fertiliser use by 20 per cent by 2030. 

Our diverse range of products includes biostimulants such as PGPR, nutrients, prebiotics & vitamins, triacontanol, acetyl thiazolidine carboxylic acid, and calcium peroxide. 

Our biofertilisers feature nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, silica solubilizing bacteria, potash-mobilizing bacteria, sulphur-mobilizing bacteria, iron-mobilising bacteria, zinc-mobilizing bacteria, and manganese-mobilizing bacteria, all meticulously formulated to meet the needs of our customers.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group, shared the company’s visionary outlook, “Our goal is to lead the way in Biological Agriculture technology, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. Sustainable alternatives are essential with global trends shifting and increasing demands from consumers, society, and regulators. The EU’s ambitious plan to ban 50 per cent of pesticides by 2030 and significantly expand organic farming necessitates innovative solutions like ours. The EU aims to reduce fertiliser use by at least 20% by 2030 as part of its Farm to Fork Strategy, focusing on decreasing nutrient losses by 50% without compromising soil fertility and increasing organic farming land by up to 25%.”

Dr Ansari emphasised, “While we are excited to introduce our new products, our unwavering commitment to innovation and collaboration continues. We have achieved significant milestones, but our journey of progress is far from over. We are confident that the best is yet to come.”

Company’s goal is to lead the way

This strategic initiative solidifies Bionema’s position as a global leader in crop protection and plant health management.

 Bionema Group, a renowned developer of sustainable agricultural biological solutions, announced a tender for marketing its pioneering range of environmentally friendly plant health management products for agriculture, horticulture, sports turf and forestry. These novel solutions promote plant health, reduce synthetic fertilisers, boost crop performance and yields, and improve soil health.

As public awareness and concerns regarding the impact of synthetic fertile on soil health and the environment continue to escalate, Bionema endeavours to offer a comprehensive collection of over 40 biostimulants, biofertilisers and biosurfactants products and technologies, providing practical, eco-friendly alternatives. This strategic initiative follows Bionema’s product technology acquired by Syngenta in 2021, solidifying its position as a global leader in crop protection and plant health management.

Over the past decades, Bionema has experienced significant growth to meet the evolving demands of the market. Its diverse product range now encompasses Biocontrol, Biostimulants, Biofertilisers, and Efficacy Boosters tailored to agriculture, horticulture, sports turf and forestry.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group, articulated the company’s vision: “Our objective is to lead as innovators in Biological Agriculture technology, reducing dependency on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. With shifting global trends and heightened demands from consumers, society, and regulators, sustainable alternatives are imperative. For instance, consider the EU’s ambitious plan to ban 50 per cent of pesticides by 2030 and significantly ramp up organic farming. Achieving such targets necessitates innovative solutions like the ones we are introducing. The EU aims to reduce fertiliser use by at least 20 per cent by 2030 as part of its Farm to Fork Strategy. These regulations focus on decreasing nutrient losses by 50 per cent without harming soil fertility and increasing organic farming land by up to 25 per cent”.

Bionema’s expanded portfolio significantly bolsters its presence in the Biological Agriculture sector, complementing its ongoing research and development, farmer training, and additional services to advance biological solutions in various cropping systems.

The company’s innovative formulation and delivery platform technology facilitates the development of products boasting 20-30 per cent higher efficacy and productivity compared to existing alternatives.

Dr Ansari emphasised, “While we are delighted to unveil our new products, our commitment to innovation and collaboration remains steadfast. We have achieved noteworthy milestones, yet our dedication to progress persists, and we firmly believe that the best is yet to come.”

This strategic initiative solidifies Bionema’s position as

The company’s innovative formulation and delivery platform technology enable the development of products with 20-30 per cent higher efficacy and productivity compared to existing products.

Bionema Group, a leading developer of sustainable biocontrol solutions, announced a tender for the marketing of their innovative range of environmentally friendly biological products. These groundbreaking solutions are designed to address crop protection and plant health management in the Agriculture, Sport Turf Amenity, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Forestry sectors.

As public awareness and concerns regarding the impact of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilisers) on human health, biodiversity, soil health and the environment continue to rise, Bionema aims to provide a complete collection of more than 60 biological products and technology that offer effective, eco-friendly alternatives. This strategic move follows Bionema’s transformative deal with Syngenta in 2021, congealing their position as a world-leading biocontrol technology company.

Over the past 15 months, Bionema has undergone significant growth to meet the progressing needs of the market. Their different product range now includes Biocontrol, Biostimulants, Biofertiliser and Efficacy Booster customised to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, turf & amenities, and public health.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group, expressed the company’s vision, said, “Our goal is to be at the forefront of Biological Agriculture technology innovator, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. With changing global trends and increasing demands from consumers, society, and regulators, sustainable alternatives are urgently needed. For instance, consider the EU’s aspiring plan to ban 50 per cent pesticides by 2030 and significantly increase organic farming. Achieving such targets requires innovative solutions like the ones we are introducing”.

Bionema’s expanded portfolio significantly enhances their presence in the Biological Agriculture sector, complementing their ongoing R&D, farmer’s training, and additional services focused on advancing biological solutions in different cropping systems.

The company’s innovative formulation and delivery platform technology enable the development of products with 20-30 per cent higher efficacy and productivity compared to existing products.

Dr Ansari stressed, “While we are pleased to introduce our new products, our commitment to innovation and collaboration remains unwavering. We have achieved significant milestones, but our dedication to progress continues, and we firmly believe that the best is yet to come”.

The company's innovative formulation and delivery platform

The Bionema team conducted a series of glasshouse and field trials across various locations including the UK, EU, India, Canada and Mexico.

Bionema Group, a prominent biocontrol technology developer and manufacturer specialising in crop protection and plant health management, has unveiled a new biostimulant product in the UK developed for application in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, turf, and amenities.

After a decade of dedicated Research and Development, Bionema Group is proud to introduce RootVita®, a groundbreaking product that harnesses the power of nature to revolutionise plant growth and soil health. RootVita® is a potent blend of biofertilisers, PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria), essential nutrients, prebiotics, and vitamins.

Plants treated with RootVita® exhibit improved resistance to abiotic stress factors such as heat, drought and salt. Additionally, their roots tend to access more nutrients and absorb water more effectively.

The Bionema team conducted a series of glasshouse and field trials across various locations including the UK, EU, India, Canada and Mexico. The results of these trials suggest that RootVita® has the potential to enable farmers to reduce their fertiliser usage by up to 30 per cent, all while maintaining approximately 93 per cent of their crop yields. Specifically, in Bionema’s glasshouse trials, root growth was observed to be 35 per cent more robust when using a recommended mixture of 50 per cent fertiliser in combination with Bionema’s RootVita® product.

According to Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group, “There has been a notable surge in interest surrounding biostimulants in recent years, driven by the increasing recognition of their benefits. Looking ahead, with the overall Biocontrol market anticipated to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7 per cent over the next five years, the biostimulant segment within this market is expected to grow at a rate of 11.8 per cent, reaching a value of $6.2 billion by the year 2027 (source: Markets and Markets, 2022). This rapid market expansion mirrors public concerns regarding the impacts of agrichemicals on human health, biodiversity, and the environment. Consequently, there is a growing demand for natural solutions to enhance crop yields and promote plant health”.

Bionema’s expanded portfolio enhances the company’s offering to the Biological Agriculture sector, and complements its ongoing research, training and other services in the continuing development of novel biological solutions. It reflects Bionema’s evolution in focus and strategy, announced in 2022 following the company’s deal with Syngenta that secured Bionema’s position as a top 20 world-leading biocontrol company.

Dr Ansari further emphasised Bionema’s aspiration to become a prominent developer of biocontrol technology, with the aim of diminishing reliance on chemical pesticides. He pointed out that the world is undergoing a transformation, marked by increasing calls for reduced chemical usage in agriculture. In order to sustain high crop yields and provide for a growing global population, it is imperative that we explore alternative, more sustainable approaches. Biostimulants emerge as a promising option to meet these demands.

The Bionema team conducted a series of