We are very pleased to announce the recent visit and knowledge-sharing session with our associate Antonio Villalobos, Agronomic Solutions Manager at Bayer Crop Science Portugal.
During the meeting, António Villalobos gave a comprehensive overview of the radical transformation that the crop protection sector is going through, highlighting two crucial vectors of innovation for the Sustainable Agriculture of the future: the growth of Biological Solutions and the advance of Digital Tools.
Trends and Key Messages
The presentation highlighted the new paradigm guiding agricultural strategy, driven by the need for greater sustainability and efficiency:
- European leadership in reducing inputs: Europe has been at the forefront of the sharp reduction in available conventional protective active ingredients, which requires an unavoidable commitment to the constant innovation in the search for safer and more effective alternatives.
- The Rise of the Biological: The future of crop protection undeniably lies in biological solutions. These compounds - which include biopesticides, biostimulants e biofertilizers - represent around 20% of the global Crop Protection market by 2030.
- Functions of Biological Compounds: These products are used as biocontrol (against pests and diseases), biostimulants (improving tolerance to stress and nutrition) and biofertilizers (increasing the efficiency of nutrient absorption).
- The Essential Role of Digital Tools: Digital technologies are the cornerstones of modern and precise agricultural management. Examples include risk forecasting (weather, pests), waste calculation and management and optimization of water management.
- Paradigm Shift: From Products to Integrated Solutions: The sector is witnessing an evolution in companies“ portfolios, which are migrating from offering isolated ”products" to Integrated Solutions. These solutions strategically combine quality seeds, conventional synthetic products (in optimized and reduced doses), biological compounds and digital tools for more robust, efficient pest and disease control in line with sustainability objectives.
Recognition
Special thanks to Antonio Villalobos and Bayer Crop Science for the continuous collaboration and inspiring sharing of knowledge in a field that is proving to be fundamental for the competitiveness and sustainability of Portuguese agriculture.
Image credits: InnovPlantProtect - Inês Ferreira
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