In Latin America, biological input production is becoming more democratic

Just out 12 December 2024
Bioinputs, as alternatives to chemical inputs, have really taken off in Latin America. They are increasingly being produced on farms, or by farmer groups, outside conventional chemical agricultural input production and distribution channels. The latest issue of Perspective, the CIRAD policy brief, looks at the issues surrounding these biofactories.
Biofactory in the town of General Câmara, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil © F. Goulet, CIRAD

Biofactory in the town of General Câmara, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil © F. Goulet, CIRAD

Bioinputs, made using microorganisms, macroorganisms or plant extracts, are used for crop nutrition and protection. Their production, in so-called "biofactories" in rural areas, is booming in many Latin American countries. 

Community or on-farm production

While chemical input production is conventionally dominated by agroindustrial firms, generally based well away from agricultural production zones, biofactories put input production firmly back near farms. 

These installations require three components: material infrastructures (tanks, ventilation systems, etc), raw materials such as microorganisms that can be multiplied, and lastly, know-how, to operate them. For producers, the aim is to facilitate access to cheaper, more ecofriendly fertilizers and pesticides.

Public support, but challenges remain

In recent years, biofactories have blossomed in several Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. Public policies exist, to facilitate and oversee their development.

However, despite the opportunities, this move to make bioinput production more autonomous has also met with controversy, primarily for health reasons. Scientists, and more specifically microbiologists, have expressed concerns about the lack of expertise or controls. Although they are biological, these inputs may have adverse effects on the environment or on health, due to the risks of spreading pathogenic or resistant microorganisms.

The State bodies in charge of regulating biofactories therefore need to build a framework for these new practices, which raise questions of access to ecofriendly, healthy inputs, particularly in the most isolated rural areas.

Download Perspective 64: Biofactories: new models for production and access to agricultural inputs in Latin America

Perspective

 

All issues of Perspective

With Perspective, CIRAD sets out to suggest new lines of debate and action, backed up by research work, albeit without presenting an official institutional position. This series of 4-page summaries presents novel ideas or policies on development issues of strategic importance for countries in the South: food security, land tenure, climate change, energy security, forest management, standards, etc.

See also