We spoke to four agriculture leaders about how genetics, seeds and biological solutions are transforming crop protection. They highlight both the potential and challenges, from regulatory hurdles to farmer adoption, and share strategies for boosting yields, sustainability and resilience in modern farming.
Sustainable crop protection is evolving through innovations in genetics, seeds and biological solutions. These technologies help agriculture boost resilience, reduce environmental impact and optimise productivity. Collaboration across research, industry and farming communities is key to adopting them effectively.
Agnes Chikukwa Hove, Co-Founder of Kijani Blue AgriBusiness, South Africa, acknowledges that genetics in agriculture is a controversial topic. ‘Traditionally, farmers saved seeds from each harvest to plant the next crop, but these seeds have become more prone to disease and less viable. Climate change challenges like droughts and floods have increased the need for stronger, more resilient seeds.
Genetically modified seeds have been developed to improve performance. While some embrace these new technologies, others prefer traditional seeds passed down through generations. Genetically modified seeds often yield higher and require pesticides but are more expensive.
Commercial farmers growing crops like cotton and maize rely on genetically modified seeds to ensure production, while traditional farmers favor heirloom varieties, sometimes citing nutritional differences. For example, seedless watermelons do not produce seeds for replanting, forcing farmers to buy new seeds each season, disrupting the traditional practice of saving seeds.
Genetic modification raises costs and concerns over market control, especially for small-scale farmers. While it offers solutions for climate resilience, many value traditional farming methods and seed varieties.’
Siang Hee, TAN (Ph.D), Executive Director, CropLife Asia, Singapore, explains that advances in genetics and seed technologies are transforming agriculture by boosting crop resilience to pests, diseases and environmental stresses, enabling nutrient use efficiency for higher yields with more sustainable crop protection production. ‘Gene editing and enhanced seed traits, such as disease and herbicide resistance and climate stress tolerance, improve pest and weed management, support sustainable chemical use, promote efficient water use and improve soil health. These innovations also enable conservation practices like reduced tillage, preserving moisture and organic matter, preventing erosion and protecting biodiversity.
Rapid advances in genome editing, especially CRISPR, have enabled precise, faster crop improvements than traditional breeding. Coupled with AI-driven bioinformatics and availability of fast and economic genome sequencing, these tools unlock new genetic pathways for climate-resilient, resource-efficient, high-yielding crops. Integrating AI and biotechnology optimises breeding, accelerates innovation, and combined with responsible farming, makes agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Collaboration among researchers, policymakers and farmers will further accelerate adoption, helping agriculture adapt to climate challenges.’
Deidre Odendaal, Biological Technical Manager at AECI Plant Health, South Africa, highlights how genetically modified and gene-edited crops enhance pest and disease resistance, reducing chemical inputs. ‘Drought- and heat-tolerant varieties improve climate resilience, while nitrogen- and phosphorus-efficient traits optimise nutrient use. Bio stimulant-enhanced seeds promote soil health and herbicide-tolerant crops enable sustainable weed management. These innovations reduce environmental impact, improve productivity and enhance food security. By integrating cutting-edge breeding techniques with biological solutions, agriculture is becoming more efficient, resilient and sustainable.’
Rebecca Galvez, CEO, FERTUM by PatBio, Chile, describes how the integration of modern genetics with advanced biological solutions is making agriculture more resilient, efficient and sustainable. ‘Genetic advances stack resistance and tolerance traits that reduce pest and disease pressure, lower dependence on chemical inputs and help slow the development of resistance. Improved coatings and priming technologies strengthen emergence and early vigor, while breeding for enhanced root traits builds stronger relationships with beneficial microbes. Stress-tolerant varieties for heat, drought and salinity safeguard yields under increasingly variable climate conditions.
At FERTUM by PatBio, we complement these genetic improvements with biologicals that multiply their impact. Our humic acids unlock soil nutrients and improve fertiliser efficiency, while our seaweed extracts boost stress resilience and plant health. Together, these tools reduce emergency pesticide applications, cut costs and support stable yields. Because Fertum solutions are microbiome-friendly, tank-mix compatible and adaptable for seed, in-furrow, or foliar use, they help farmers strengthen their first line of defense, preserve synthetic efficacy and achieve long-term sustainability alongside improved profitability.’
What challenges do companies face in scaling the adoption of biological solutions such as biopesticides and biofungicides, and how can they be addressed?
For Deidre Odendaal the main challenges faced are regulatory hurdles, inconsistent efficacy, short shelf life and farmer scepticism. ‘Streamlining approval processes, clamping down on unregistered products being distributed and ensuring the correct storage of biological products will enhance reliability. Farmer education, field trials and industry incentives can drive adoption, ensure correct use and thus optimal efficacy. Integrating biologicals into management practices on farm will ensure enhanced pest and disease control, resistance management, reduced chemical use, improved plant and soil health and assist with residue management.’
Agnes Chikukwa Hove notes that biopesticides and biofungicides are natural alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides. ‘Interest in these products is growing as farmers seek more sustainable options. While biopesticides are preferred, they are more expensive, less accessible and have a shorter shelf life than chemical pesticides, limiting their use in South Africa.
Many farmers are unfamiliar with biopesticides, and their effectiveness can vary. For example, the natural product NEEM sometimes works well but is inconsistent. In contrast, chemical pesticides like Doom are more reliable and widely used.
Most South African farmers favor chemical pesticides due to their affordability and availability. Key suppliers include Bayer and Center 2Seed. The limited adoption of biopesticides is largely due to a lack of awareness and availability.’
According to Siang Hee, TAN (Ph.D), scaling adoption of biological solutions like biopesticides faces persistent challenges—regulatory inconsistencies, limited farmer awareness, variable efficacy and supply chain constraints. Divergent regulations often require repetitive testing and lengthy approvals, delaying market entry. Sensitivity to environmental conditions can cause inconsistent performance, while many growers remain unfamiliar with their use in pest management. Supply, storage, and distribution issues further limit access, particularly in remote areas.
Overcoming these barriers requires coordinated action: harmonised, science-based regulations with standardised data packages; large-scale trials to build trust and validate efficacy; farmer training and extension services for integration into IPM; and stronger supply chains with modern infrastructure. Digital advisory tools, such as region-specific farm guidance, can further support adoption by improving application timing and dosage.
Despite challenges, biopesticides offer clear advantages. Their biodegradability, target specificity and ability to reduce pesticide resistance make them valuable for both horticulture and field crops. While their narrow pest focus can complicate management, integration into IPM turns this specificity into an advantage by minimising non-target impacts and supporting ecological balance.
Ultimately, scaling adoption will depend on streamlined regulations, reliable supply chains and sustained farmer education. With these in place, biopesticides can become a cornerstone of sustainable crop protection and food security.
As per Rebecca Galvez, scaling adoption of biological crop protection faces several interconnected challenges: variable field performance, formulation stability and shelf life, unclear fit within integrated pest management (IPM) programs and the need for strong local proof of ROI. ‘Building trust with growers is a major challenge, as farmers are used to conventional chemistries with immediate effects, while biologicals work subtly to enhance plant resilience. Overcoming this requires multi-site field trials that show real-world value and clearer regulatory pathways tailored to biologicals.
Distribution and technical support are key: biologicals must fit into existing crop programs with guidance for advisors, compatibility protocols and ROI tools. At Fertum, we pair biopesticides with humic and seaweed formulations to stabilise sprays and boost microbial persistence, backed by trial data across multiple crops. Success comes from collaboration among companies, regulators, distributors and farmers, turning biologicals from niche options into mainstream sustainable solutions.’
How can agribusinesses balance innovation with regulatory requirements and farmer adoption when implementing new crop protection strategies?
‘By aligning with regulators to streamline approvals and ensure compliance,’ says Deidre Odendaal. ‘Developing user-friendly, cost-effective solutions that integrate with existing practices encourages farmer adoption. Field trials, training and demonstrations build trust and confidence. Emphasising sustainable innovation, such as integrated pest management (IPM) and precision agriculture, enhances effectiveness while meeting regulatory and environmental standards. Collaboration with regulators, researchers and farmers ensures scalable, compliant and practical solutions that drive the successful implementation of new crop protection strategies.’
Agnes Chikukwa Hove observes that innovation in agriculture faces challenges, particularly in balancing regulatory requirements with traditional farming practices. ‘Farmers often rely on generational knowledge and are slow to adopt new technologies, though larger farms may embrace change more readily. In South Africa, adoption varies: large grain producers use genetically modified seeds, while smaller vegetable growers rely on heirloom varieties. Mistrust of GMOs, high costs, limited access to biopesticides and biofertilisers, and lack of farmer education hinder innovation.
Accelerating adoption requires investment in training, awareness and product availability. Regulations around traceability and safety are critical, especially for chemical use. Socio-economic factors also play a role: many rural farmers operate at subsistence levels, with limited resources, land access influenced by traditional authorities and gender disparities. Women farmers face additional climate-related risks.
Balancing innovation with regulation means addressing technology gaps and real-world challenges. Only then can sustainable crop protection strategies succeed.’
‘Effective communication is key to promoting farmer adoption of innovations that enhance food production, resilience and sustainability,’ adds Siang Hee, TAN (Ph.D). ‘Agribusinesses must navigate complex regulations, ensure safety and efficacy, engage early with authorities and align with science-based risk assessments to accelerate approvals. Gaining public trust and maintaining social license are equally critical, as societal perception can influence innovation success as much as regulatory approval.
Clear communication on risk, safety and environmental impact builds trust with regulators and policymakers. Farmer adoption requires practical, field-tested solutions integrated into existing practices, supported by training, demonstrations and extension services. Market-driven sustainability programs and industry initiatives further encourage adoption by showing long-term value. Collaboration among agribusinesses, researchers and farmer organisations provides localised data and best practices for IPM integration, while digital platforms and real-time advisory services help farmers make informed decisions.’
Rebecca Galvez emphasises that balancing innovation with regulatory requirements and farmer adoption requires a structured, grower-centric approach. ‘Agribusinesses must ensure regulatory clarity through aligned product claims, accurate labels, certifications like OMRI and state approvals. Adoption should be phased, from on-farm pilots to field demonstrations and harvest reviews, to build trust.
Integration into crop management is key. Biologicals should complement IPM programs, addressing residue reduction, longer pre-harvest intervals and resistance management. Clear economic proof—ROI, yield gains, risk reduction—along with practical tools like program cards, visual protocols and extension support, simplifies adoption. Trials across crops, paired with humic and seaweed formulations, stabilise sprays and enhance microbial persistence for consistent performance.
At Fertum, we follow a three-touch adoption path: pilot programs, field days and harvest-time ROI analysis. Early preventive programs, such as at-plant and early foliar applications, protect crops while reducing synthetic inputs. This mix of regulatory discipline, phased adoption, technical support and measurable economics helps turn biologicals from niche alternatives into mainstream solutions for resilient agriculture.’
Summary
Innovations in genetics, seeds and biological solutions are reshaping agriculture, offering practical ways to boost productivity, resilience and sustainability. Scaling these solutions successfully depends on aligning innovation with regulation, supporting farmers with education and tools, and fostering ongoing collaboration across the sector.
The Kestria Agribusiness & Agriscience Practice Group specialises in connecting companies with leadership that drives innovation and sustainability in agriculture. By leveraging deep sector knowledge, the group helps clients navigate challenges from seed technologies to biological crop protection, supporting the adoption of solutions that enhance productivity, resilience and environmental stewardship.
