Why are AgroBiologicals important?

Various global policies urge reducing the use and risks of chemical pesticides, especially those with hazardous substances. For instance, major environmental frameworks, like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework from the Convention on Biological Diversity, Rotterdam Convention and Stockholm Convention, recommend measures to protect human health and the environment from the impacts of harmful pesticides.

As a promising alternative to reduce the need and use of chemical pesticides, the use of agricultural biologicals has recently gained more attention. Agricultural biologicals are nature-based solutions used in farming systems as

• biostimulants,
• biocontrol agents,
• resistance inducers,
• biofertilizers

They can be living organisms or derive from naturally occurring organisms, plant extracts or other organic matter. Their implementation should be safe and support a sustainable transformation of agriculture. They boost crop yield, improve plant health and manage crop pests and pathogens. If correctly introduced, they can increase agricultural resilience by providing a more sustainable and safe agriculture.

In SSA, the use of agricultural biologicals is reduced due to issues with effectiveness, availability, and affordability. As a result, smallholder farmers have limited exposure to biologicals. When used correctly, biologicals are eco-friendly, target specific, and have the potential to create new business opportunities towards circular bioeconomy. Thus, they can both increase food security and decrease poverty. Their introduction in SSA would potentially contribute to reduce the use and risks from chemicals pesticides, especially hazardous chemical pesticides and align with global efforts on reduction of agrochemicals. Importantly, for smallholder farmers in SSA, agribiologicals need to be introduced in a manner that does not threaten their food security and livelihoods.