Why biologicals’ next winners may not have the ‘best’ products

At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, industry leaders emphasized that the future success of biological agricultural products depends less on having the most innovative offerings and more on how well these products integrate into existing crop-management systems. Rather than competing with synthetic inputs, biologicals such as biocontrols, biofertilisers, and biopesticides are increasingly viewed as complementary tools that can help farmers manage risk and enhance resilience amid climate and market volatility. However, speakers cautioned that regulatory hurdles, especially in Europe, are slowing the translation of scientific advances into farmer-ready solutions, underscoring the need for streamlined, science-based approval processes.