Biosolutions in Afro-Eurasian Agricultural Innovation Systems

 21 July 2026. The EFARD/GFAiR/CAAE webinar examined the institutional conditions required to scale biopesticides and biofertilizers across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Drawing on evidence from thirteen countries, the presentation demonstrated that successful adoption of biological agricultural inputs depends not only on their biological effectiveness but also on the strength of agricultural innovation systems.

The comparative analysis showed that countries possessing abundant biodiversity do not necessarily achieve successful commercialization. Instead, adoption is determined by coordinated investments in research, regulation, manufacturing, commercialization, extension services, and quality assurance.

The webinar emphasized that effective regulatory systems, functioning markets, strong public-private partnerships, and farmer confidence are essential prerequisites for scaling biological solutions. Experiences from Kenya, South Africa, Spain, the Netherlands, India, China, and other countries illustrate different pathways toward successful adoption as well as persistent institutional bottlenecks.

The webinar reinforced that the transition toward sustainable agriculture is fundamentally an institutional challenge rather than solely a technological one. While biological products have demonstrated considerable potential to improve agricultural sustainability, widespread adoption requires coordinated investments across research, regulation, commercialization, manufacturing, extension, and governance. The comparative evidence from Africa, Asia, and Europe shows that countries are unlikely to achieve successful scaling through isolated interventions. Instead, integrated agricultural innovation systems that align scientific research with policy, markets, and farmer needs provide the strongest foundation for sustainable adoption.

The discussion concluded that scaling biological inputs requires systemic institutional transformation rather than isolated technological innovation. Strengthening agricultural innovation systems is therefore central to achieving sustainable food systems while reducing dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs.

• Moderator Darshika Senadheera, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)
• Keynote Speaker Emmanuel Tetteh Jumpah, Executive Secretary, European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD), Project Coordinator, Beyond BioPest Project, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Germany