By Michele Katsaris, Managing Editor, AgriBusiness Global
Integrating agrochemicals and biological crop protection products helps growers manage maximum residue limits (MRLs), safeguards plants, and enhances the opportunity for robust crop yields. However, implementing a successful integrated pest management (IPMs) program for Latin American crops in 2024 requires more than just combining these products — it demands grower education, ag tech, and innovation.
Leading companies, like Disagro and Jebagro, and support from associations like CropLife Latin America, are driving the evolution of IPM in LATAM through tailored approaches involving customization, education, and R&D.
Customized training programs ensure that farmers are well-versed in the latest techniques and products, enhancing their ability to protect crops efficiently while minimizing environmental impact and reducing issues with MRLs.
Supporting Growers
By focusing on education and training, Disagro and Jebagro are equipping growers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective IPM strategies.
Paul Romero, Head of Business Development Andean Region &Central America for Jebagro, says, “I believe that one of the successes that has been achieved is to consider adapting these latest generation techniques and products to the more conventional way in which producers manage their phytosanitary programs; thus the adoption and transition process has been much more empathetic. This transition is taking place more or less rapidly to the extent that it can occur, either due to the farmer's resources or the participation of the states in its dissemination, which is why I dare to say that the space of opportunity is still very large.”
Helping farmers learn how to incorporate new products and the timing of those products into their way of farming is one step. Another is to educate them on the benefits of healthy soil and the economic implications.
“From an agronomic perspective, understanding and efficiently managing the relationship between plant, soil, and water is crucial to maximize crop productivity, optimize resource use, and ensure long-term sustainability,” says Laura Castro, Monitoring and Development Technician for Disagro. “Economically, this relationship influences the profitability of agriculture by impacting the quality, quantity, and value of agricultural products, as well as the efficiency in the use of inputs and resources.”
Profitability and higher yields are also accompanied by an improved agricultural landscape with its own economic benefits.
“The promotion of good agricultural practices allows us to, among other things, reduce the susceptibility of crops to pests and diseases. [These are practices] such as crop rotation and diversification, the use of resistant varieties, and adequate soil management, all to create a less favorable environment for the pests,” says Romero.
This reduces work and costs of crop protection. While data and research are good, Gabriela Briceño-Montero, Stewardship Director for CropLife Latin America, says that partnering and listening to the grower is an important part of the educational process.
“Everything is science based. We need to show the producer that [science] is not intimidating. We can’t tell the producer what they need, we need to hear what they need,” says Briceño-Montero. “We have a democracy of knowledge. There’s no knowledge that’s not worth sharing.”
She emphasized there are three areas that need attention with LATAM growers for IPM: Awareness, Education, and Action. “We have to [share] and have good practices, there is no other way to do it,” says Briceño-Montero.
Research and Development
Crop protection companies are improving IPM by prioritizing research and development (R&D) for creating tailored solutions, especially when dealing with climate change. By incorporating the latest technological innovations, growers can optimize crop protection and enhance overall agricultural productivity.
“The management of products in co-formulation [have] made it possible to mitigate risks to crops due to inadequate preparations of mixtures, and above all it has favored the management of pathogen resistance.”
“From the perspective of the crop protection industry, various strategies have been developed that help generate an activity that strongly supports food production,” says Romero. “It’s about the development of improved formulations, which have allowed us not only to guarantee a better distribution of the applied products, but also to optimize the use of resources such as water, in some cases up to 40%. This is definitely having an important impact on sustainability.”
R&D is also necessary for pairing agrochemicals with biologicals to make sure both perform well together in the field. Through testing and experimentation, researchers are able to identify how these products work in combination. Continuous R&D efforts contribute to the development of innovative application techniques, further enhancing the integration of agrochemicals and biologicals within IPM programs.
“The management of products in co-formulation is not a novel strategy. However, its correct application has made it possible to mitigate risks to crops due to inadequate preparations of mixtures, and above all it has favored the management of pathogen resistance,” Romero says. “The integration of diverse solutions, chemical, biological, plant-based, etc., in the management of pests and diseases has also allowed us to provide a very safe profile for the user, the consumer, and the environment.”
Crop Monitoring
Integrating biological and synthetic crop protection methods can significantly boost profitability with IPM programs. By combining the strengths of both approaches, growers effectively manage pests, maintain soil health, and reduce chemical residues. Successful programs demonstrate cost savings and higher crop quality, but need monitoring.
Emerging trends like precision agriculture and data analytics are revolutionizing IPM, making these programs more effective, environmentally sustainable, and responsive to the dynamic demands of contemporary agriculture.
“Constant monitoring, which leads to informed decision-making, is taking prevention as a fundamental pillar,” says Romero. “In this sense, leveraging technology in the development of digital agriculture is an increasingly powerful and attainable alternative.”
Technology can be used to study various aspects of the crop and soil, gaining a deeper understanding of effective agricultural practices. For example, BeCrop, a digital agricultural platform, from Biome Makers, provides insights and solutions for optimizing crop management practices. With comprehensive data analytics, BeCrop offers growers detailed information about their crops, including pest and disease risks, growth patterns, and environmental conditions.
“[We can] use BeCrop to perform a detailed analysis of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, allowing us to understand its composition and quality,” Castro says. “It identifies the microorganisms present in the soil and their functions, which is crucial to understanding their impact on soil health and nutrient cycling. It can help identify sustainable agricultural practices by analyzing the functionality of the soil microbiome and predicting disease threats, allowing informed decisions to be made to improve sustainability.”
This holistic approach not only improves crop yields but also fosters sustainable agricultural practices across LATAM.
“The future of IPM is linked to the health of plant roots. The future is going to be about potentiating the microbiology of the soil."
Focus on Soil
Effective pest management involves not only combating pests but also enhancing the plant's natural defenses. Plants have mechanisms that can manage their own systems.
“The future of IPM is linked to the health of plant roots,” Castro says. “The future is going to be about potentiating the microbiology of the soil. Radical stimulation based on biology has the consequence of stimulating and strengthening plant roots and its self-defense action mechanisms. A stronger root defends itself better because substances are synthesized and injected through the roots that provide energy, stimulation, and nutrition to the microbiology of the soil, and the microbiology in turn grows in diversity and improves the stimulation of the system.”
