That’s where biopesticides come in. Unlike synthetic options, biopesticides are naturally occurring products derived from materials like plants and microorganisms (think bacteria and fungi). In most cases, biopesticides are less toxic than conventional pesticides, making the food safer for people who eat it and those who grow it. In fact, products like Regalia–a fungicide from my company, Marrone Bio Innovations–can be applied in the morning, with workers safely returning to the fields by the afternoon.
Biopesticides generally affect only the target pests, compared to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may cause harm to birds, insects, mammals, and other organisms. They often decompose quickly, and reduce the likelihood that pests and plant pathogens will develop resistance. Using our products, farmers can grow crops with no synthetic chemical residues, allowing them access to the most profitable export markets in Europe, where regulators have implemented strict laws about chemical use on crops.
Chances are that when you open a bag of lettuce or spinach, they were grown using one of our natural products. So why haven’t you heard of biopesticides?
While they’ve been around for 50 years, biopesticides remain the domain of small companies–typically without the clout of multi-billion dollar global enterprises. As you can imagine, it has been difficult to get the word out and break through all the chatter.
But agriculture is changing. In the past five years, the biopesticide market has grown by more than 15 percent per year. Biopesticides now comprise almost six percent of the $36 billion global pesticide market. At the same time, chemical pesticides have grown more slowly with inflation and commodity prices. Increasingly, Marrone Bio Innovations and other biopesticide companies have demonstrated that biopesticides, when incorporated into pest or plant disease programs, can improve efficacy, enhance yield, and be cost effective. In fact, while biopesticides can be used in organic farming, 90 percent of all biopesticides are used by conventional farmers.
The word is spreading. Consumers are demanding food that’s safe for their children and the environment. Growers know that they face increasing regulations and pest resistance, and are looking for natural alternatives that maintain yields and the health of their plants. Biopesticides are part of a cost-effective, environmentally-responsible solution, and they’re gaining steam.
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