Natural pesticides gain ground in 'agri-tox' capital Brazil

Natural pesticides gain ground in 'agri-tox' capital Brazil

Agricultural engineer Adriano Cruvinel checks on his soybean plants in Montividiu, Brazil
Agricultural engineer Adriano Cruvinel checks on his soybean plants in Montividiu, Brazil. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
Source: AFP

Inspecting a thriving green field, Brazilian farmer Adriano Cruvinel is beaming: Using a fraction of the chemical products he used to, he is growing even more soy, thanks to natural pesticides.

Agricultural powerhouse Brazil may be the world leader in chemical pesticide use, but Cruvinel is part of a growing trend of farmers turning to natural products known as "biopesticides."

"Our soy is doing great," says the 36-year-old agricultural engineer, giving a tour of his 1,400-hectare (nearly 3,500-acre) farm in the central-western county of Montividiu, as combine harvesters work their way across a field.

"Thanks to the microorganisms we apply to the crop, it's a lot more resistant to pests and disease."

Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of soy, corn and cotton, is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides: nearly 720,000 metric tons in 2021, or one-fifth of global sales, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

Read also

Could mini nuclear stations plug South Africa's power gaps?

Seeking to improve his profits, in 2016 Cruvinel started transitioning toward so-called "regenerative" agriculture.

The technique seeks to restore the soil's biodiversity, replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with natural alternatives.

Organic products, including fungi and bacteria, are used by farmer Adriano Cruvinel as natural pesticides
Organic products, including fungi and bacteria, are used by farmer Adriano Cruvinel as natural pesticides. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
Source: AFP

He still uses genetically modified soy, widespread in Brazil. But near those fields he built an ultra-modern laboratory and factory.

Inside, refrigerators conserve fungi and bacteria, some harvested from forestland on his farm.

He cultivates them en masse in vats, then uses them to treat his fields.

"Here, we imitate nature on a giant scale," says Cruvinel, who has replaced 76 percent of the chemical pesticides he formerly used with natural products.

The approach is good for health and the environment, but also business: His production costs have fallen by 61 percent, while his soy yields have risen by 13 percent, he says.

Read also

More hunger, less money: Argentine soup kitchens count rations

'Long way to go'

Natural pesticides "could revolutionize Brazilian and global agriculture," says Marcos Rodrigues de Faria, a researcher at Embrapa, Brazil's public agricultural research agency.

Workers harvest soybeans in Montividiu, Brazil
Workers harvest soybeans in Montividiu, Brazil. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
Source: AFP

But "there's a long way to go," he adds.

Brazil still relies heavily on chemical pesticides, known here as "agrotoxicos," or "agri-toxic" products.

Natural products grew from four percent of total pesticide sales in Brazil in 2020 to nine percent in 2022.

Their use has expanded four times faster in Brazil than internationally, says Amalia Borsari, of CropLife Brasil, an organization representing the agricultural chemicals industry.

"There has been exponential growth," she says.

Geographer Larissa Bombardi, an expert on pesticide use in Brazil, calls the trend "interesting."

The agribusiness sector -- including the soybeans seen here -- accounts for nearly a quarter of Brazil's economy
The agribusiness sector -- including the soybeans seen here -- accounts for nearly a quarter of Brazil's economy. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
Source: AFP

But she says it is not yet changing Brazil's dominant model of massive, land-intensive mono-crop agriculture, which leaves little room for small-scale producers or more environmentally friendly practices.

"The surface area of land under cultivation in Brazil increased by 29 percent from 2010 to 2019, while pesticide use increased by 78 percent," she says.

Read also

Body Shop's UK business slides into administration

'Gift to agribusiness'

The agribusiness sector accounts for nearly a quarter of Latin America's biggest economy, making the pesticide debate politically charged.

After a long standoff with Congress, where agribusiness interests are a powerful force, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a bill into law in December softening regulations on agricultural chemicals.

The veteran leftist used his line-item veto to block some controversial aspects of the bill. But the final text significantly lowered the bar for regulatory approval of new pesticides, drawing scathing criticism from environmentalists.

Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of corn, cotton and soy (seen here), is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides
Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of corn, cotton and soy (seen here), is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
Source: AFP

Chemicals that can cause cancer and mutations or harm the environment are no longer automatically banned -- only those found to represent an "unacceptable risk."

Bombardi calls the law a "tragedy" and "a gift to the agribusiness and agricultural chemicals industries."

The stakes go beyond Brazil.

The country's massive use of pesticides is one of the main objections voiced by opponents of a landmark trade deal between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur, in which Brazil is the biggest player.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.