The global agrochemicals market is anticipated to reach USD 282.2 billion by the end of 2028, according to a recent MarketandMarkets report. The global agrochemicals sector has been experiencing a surge in the patents & product registrations and this has resulted in greater use in the agriculture sector, which acts as one of the driving force of the market. As the demand for food continues to increase there is a pressing need for innovative solutions for improving crop productivity, protect against pests & diseases & ensure environmental sustainability. Agrochemicals have long played a critical role in this domain, but recent advancements are revolutionizing the industry offering new ways to tackle age-old challenges. In this article let us look at some of the key innovations in agrichemicals, biopesticides, nanoformulations & RNA interference (RNAi) technology highlighting contributions to modern agriculture.
Biopesticides display a huge leap forward in the search of sustainable agriculture. The biopesticides market in India is anticipated to reach USD 130.37 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.38 per cent. Biopesticides provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical pesticides as they are derived from natural materials. These include plants, bacteria, animals & some minerals. Biopesticides are highly specific, unlike other pesticides that affect a wide spectrum of organisms and they target only the intended pests. This decreases the collateral damage to beneficial wildlife, human health & insects and this in turn supports ecological balance & biodiversity.
The innovation in biopesticides is in the development as well as their application. The scalability, efficacy and stability of the biopesticides are enhanced significantly by the advances in genetic engineering & fermentation technology. For instance, microbial pesticides make use of either the naturally occurring or genetically modified microorganisms for combating pests. Bacillus thuringiensis – the bacterium that produces toxins lethal to insects which has been successfully leveraged in organic as well as conventional farming. Also, Plant-incorporated protectants are another type of biopesticides. Here plants are genetically modified for producing pesticidal substances, offering inherent protection from pests.
IPL Biologicals and AFEPASA partnered to register as well as market microbial biopesticides globally in the month of August this year. The aim of the collaboration is to enhance crop yield and quality, decrease the dependence on chemical pesticides and offering sustainable solutions for pest control.
Manel Montaño, CEO of AFEPASA, said, “The strategic collaboration with IPL Biologicals will enable us offer innovative bio-pesticides to the European and global markets. We will be replacing harmful synthetic pesticides with safe biologicals, not only prioritizing the health of food consumers but also that of our environment. We are happy to be associated with IPL Biologicals, the global technology leader in agri-biologicals, and a company that has the most exciting technology path for the future, and who we are certain will dominate the global agri-biologicals market.”
Biopesticides contribute to integrated pest management strategies and this combines various tools which include biological, physical, cultural and chemical tools for minimizing pest damage in an environmentally as well as economically sustainable way. Biopesticides help in mitigating the risk of pests by developing resistance and this is achieved by decreasing reliance on synthetic chemicals, which is a common issue with conventional pesticides. Also, the usage of biopesticides leads to lower chemicals residues on food products, and this helps in addressing consumer concerns regarding food safety and health.
“Owing to favorable domestic policies and infrastructure, the Indian Agrochemicals sector has been experiencing exponential growth over the years, emerging as the second-largest exporter of agrochemicals across the globe,” says Deepak Shah, Founder, SML.
Nanotechnology is making huge inroads into agriculture specifically in the agrochemicals formulation. Nanoformulations comprise the usage of nanocapsules, nanoparticles as well as nanosuspensions for enhancing the effectiveness as well as delivery of the agrochemicals. The major advantage of nanoformulations is their ability of enhancing the stability, bioavailability and solubility of active ingredients. This translates into more efficient pest control with lower chemical doses.
The potential to reduce environmental contamination is the most promising aspects of nanoformulations. Traditional pesticides most often suffer from numerous issues which include volatilization, runoff & leaching. This results in water bodies & soil pollution. Owing to their controlled release mechanisms as well as targeted delivery nanoformulated pesticides reduce the adverse effects. For example encapsulating active ingredients in nanoparticles help in protecting them from degradation by several environmental factors which include UV light, & microbial activity making sure that the pesticide stays effective for a very long time.
“In recent decades, agrochemicals have revo- lutionized global agriculture, serving as essential tools for enhancing crop yields and ensuring food security. Agrochemical manufacturers, producing fertilizers and zero residue pesticides, play a pivotal role in this transformative landscape,” says Gurvinder Singh, Founder & Director, Cropnosys India.
Furthermore, nanoformulations can be developed for releasing their active ingredients in response to particular triggers which include the temperature, presence of pests & pH. This particular precision reduces the requirement for frequent applications which in turn helps in saving time & acts as resource for farmers. Furthermore, the reduced application rates that are associated with nanoformulations decrease the risk of building resistance among pest populations, improving the long-term efficacy of pest management programs.
One of the most important cutting-edge developments in the agrochemicals sector is the RNA Interference (RNAi) technology. It is a natural biological process where RNA molecules impede the gene expression through neutralizing targeted messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. For creating RNA-based pesticides which target essential genes in pests RNAi can be harnessed in agriculture which leads to the death or sterility of the pests and this method provides a level of precision which was unattainable previously with conventional pesticides.
Specificity is the primary innovation of RNAi technology and scientists can shut down the gene’s expression effectively without affecting non-target organisms by designing RNA molecules which match the mRNA of a pest’s essential gene. RNAi technology also addresses the surging problems of pest resistance and traditional pesticides most often rely on limited number of mechanisms for killing pests, and this can result in resistance as pests start adapting over time. Some of the potential applications of the RNAi technology go beyond pest control. This technology can also be leveraged for developing crops with improved resistance to diseases & pests, which decreases the requirement for external chemical inputs. Furthermore, RNAi can be used to modulate plant traits these include enhancing stress tolerance as well as nutrient use efficiency, which in turn would contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Some of the top agrochemicals companies include Dhanuka Agritech, Bayer CropScience, BASF India, Insecticides India, Bharat Rasayan and others.
The innovations in nanoformulations, RNA interference technology and biopesticides are revolutionizing the agrochemical sector. It offers new tools which helps in addressing the challenges of modern agriculture. These advancements help in enhancing the effectiveness as well as the efficiency of pest control. Furthermore, they promote environmental stewardship & sustainability. The continued development as well as adoption of innovative agrochemicals will be imperative to ensure a secure as well as sustainable food supply for the generations to come.
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