New Ag International, November / December 2018 - English Edition

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November/December 2018

Brazil: THE High-Tech Ag Country?

Heard and Seen at ABIM

· · ·

Precision Ag: Can it be Profitable?

Trends in Water Soluble Fertilizers Zinc Agronomics

LL ee a d e r s’ P r o f i l e s • SC Larderello (Italy) • IRZ Engineering (USA)

Welcome to the Irrigation Show in California, 3-7 December, 2018

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MESSAGE FROM EDITOR.qxp_MESSAGE FROM EDITOR (june) 31/10/2018 11:53 Page 1

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR NEW AG INTERNATIONAL

A NEW EDITORIAL TEAM AT NEW AG INTERNATIONAL!

Luke Hutson

Janet Kanters

Some of you may remember the editorial topics covered in the first issue of this magazine in March 2001: Calcium: a star is born. Seaweed products: do they work? The fluorimetry technique: a wonderful tool. Soil biomass management. Irrigation scheduling. And we were profiling two companies, Roberts Irrigation and Rosier, that were involved in drip irrigation and soluble fertilizers, respectively.

Are these topics looking like “old stuff� today? The answer is a definite no. Calcium and other water-soluble fertilizers are still stars with use that has grown tremendously around the world following the increase in fruit and vegetable acreage. Seaweed products work and now we know better why they work. Fluorimetry technology and other tools for early detection of pest attacks and nutrient deficiencies have never been so trendy. Soil biomass management is on the agenda more than ever as is irrigation scheduling.

Does this mean everything is the same today as 18 years ago? Absolutely not. If the fundamentals of crop production have not changed, the tools to achieve higher yields of better quality have become more diversified, with a higher performance, increasingly science based and safeguarding the environment a lot better than 18 years ago.

At New Ag, we have accompanied these moves; we have sometimes pioneered them or helped the pioneers to become more visible more quickly, e.g. in biostimulants and biocontrol, and this will continue as I leave the stage. This message is my last one as Editorial Director of this magazine.

From the transition process after the sale of New Ag International to Informa PLC at the end of 2017, we are now pleased to introduce the new editorial team for New Ag International: Luke Hutson, a British citizen based at our London office, is appointed Chief Editor. Luke joins New Ag with a scientific background and many years as an editor and analyst in various industries, with a keen interest in specialty fertilizers and biostimulants.

Luke will be assisted by newly appointed Editor Janet Kanters, a very well-known Canadian agricultural journalist who, over the past 20 years, has covered most of the topics of interest to New Ag but also the seed business. Janet will operate from Canada, near Calgary, Alberta.

Of course, our South American colleague, Patricio Trebilcock of Chile, continues to be in charge of our Spanish-language edition. He will be the Editor of our magazines for all topics ranging from irrigation to emerging technologies and start-ups.

Last but not least, Linda Jiang in Beijing continues to establish our Chinese-language edition as the reference publication in high-tech ag in China.

Other contributing editors, including some of the biggest names in the science world, will continue to cover specific topics and regional reports.

In the meantime, the New Ag International team is looking forward to seeing you in Dublin, March 25-29, 2019, for a series of three conferences: Our triennial IFA-New Ag conference on Slow and Controlled Release and Stabilized Fertilizers will take place simultaneously with our first International Precision Ag Conference, co-organized with IPNI, and both are followed by our well-established New Ag International Conference & Exhibition.

See you there.

We wish you a good read.

Patricio Trebilcock

Jean-Pierre Leymonie

www.newaginternational.com

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CONTENT Nov 2018.qxp_CONTENTS SEPT 04 31/10/2018 11:55 Page 1

C O N T E N T S

November/December 2018

NEW AG INTERNATIONAL is a publication of New Ag International SARL, an Informa PLC company Registered office : 2 rue de Lisbonne 75008 Paris, France newag@newaginternational.com www.newaginternational.com Managing Director François Levesque newag@newaginternational.com Editor JP Leymonie editorial@newaginternational.com Editor & Latin America Correspondent Patricio Trebilcock Patricio.Trebilcock@newaginternational.com Contributing Editors: Oded Achilea newag@newaginternational.com Janet Kanters janet.kanters@newaginternational.com M. Loison (Plant Protection) newag@newaginternational.com Marketing Manager: Carmen Hernandez newag@newaginternational.com Advertising Sales Manager: Jacqui French advertising@newaginternational.com Head of Operations: Diane Jones newag@newaginternational.com Issued four times per year Reprints of articles obtainable on application to the Editor.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,mechanical, photocopying,recording or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the Copyright Owner. © 2018 New Ag International SARL Subscription enquiries to: Email: newag@newaginternational.com Annual subscription: Euros 175 (4 issues per year - hard copies, online version and access to past issues) Designed in the UK Email: tony@alphaset.co.uk Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk New Ag International accepts no responsibility or liability for the validity or information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or advertising agencies.

NEWS REVIEW

6

An exclusive interview with Warren S. Gorowitz, President of the Irrigation Association.

PLANT PROTECTION CORNER

14

Heard and seen at ABIM in Basel, by M. Loison.

PRECISION AG CORNER

18

Can precision ag be profitable?

By Prof Alex Escola & team, University of Lleida, Spain.

LEADER’S PROFILE

26

SC Larderello: The Italian company celebrates its 200th anniversary: An exclusive interview with Paolo Bonini, CEO.

PRODUCTS & TRENDS

30

Water Soluble Fertilizers: Where is the market going?

New Ag talks with world leaders Haifa, ICL, Kingenta, Prayon, SQM and Yara by JP Leymonie, editor, and Dr O. Achilea, contributing editor.

IRRIGATION AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERS

44

IRZ engineering: World class irrigation services,

by P. Trebilcock, Editor.

IRRIGATION AND FERTIGATION TECHNOLOGY

48

Update on deficit irrigation by P. Trebilcock, Editor.

REGIONAL REPORT

56

Brazil: The high-tech ag country? by P. Trebilcock, Editor.

AGRONOMICS & ECONOMICS

70

Zinc Agronomics: Heard and seen at zinc crops symposium,

by Dr O. Achilea, contributing editor.

PEOPLE & EVENTS

75

View this issue online at: www.newaginternational.com Front cover picture: Agriculture in Brazil, courtesy of Redagricola.

Editorial and photo acknowledgements: Special thanks to the Irrigation Association.

www.newaginternational.com

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N E W S R E V I E W

An interview with

Warren S. Gorowitz, CLIA, president of the Irrigation Association irrigation market is strong and will continue to grow.

Warren S. Gorowitz

On the occasion of Irrigation Show 2018, to be held in Long Beach, California in early December, New Ag International spoke with the president of the Irrigation Association to learn about current trends in irrigation and the association’s priorities.

How would you describe the state of the global irrigation market?

During my time as president of the Irrigation Association, I have had a unique opportunity to make new connections and have had many conversations about the industry with great people from all sectors of irrigation.

Even though my business focus is primarily on the turf and landscape side of the industry, I continue to hear optimism regarding all aspects of irrigation. I am amazed by the new technologies and innovations that are coming into the market. Even though there are concerns about the agricultural economy in the United States and trade tariffs, I believe that the state of the global

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How has the irrigation market fared for sprinkler irrigation, both in the USA and abroad?

The agricultural economy has been a challenge for the past few years. This, along with trade uncertainty, is causing both angst and a lack of capital available for investment in farming practices, such as irrigation.

However, the interest in sprinkler irrigation continues to be at an all-time high. The lack of capital is not stopping farmers from expressing interest in better managing their yields through more efficient irrigation. From new controllers to using “big data,” farmers now have more tools than ever to manage their production and water use through efficient forms of sprinkler irrigation.

How has the irrigation market been for the drip and microsprinkler market, both in the USA and abroad?

In the United States, drought has been the most recent driver for growers to use drip-microirrigation, specifically in states like California. While either the threat of or continued drought is still fresh on growers’ minds, drip-microirrigation continues to be at the forefront of irrigation management for many types of fruits, vegetables and other tree crops. Like sprinkler irrigation, drip-micro is affected in the United States by the current agricultural economy, but that has not stopped the industry from driving efficient practices that are now being sought after globally.

FARM BILL What is the Irrigation Association’s priorities regarding the new farm bill?

Our priorities have focused on expanding the access for growers to invest in efficient irrigation technologies through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This includes prioritizing agricultural productivity along with water savings, as well as expanding the eligible list of organizations able to manage EQIP contracts, focusing on irrigation projects.

How is the farm bill process moving regarding the Irrigation Association’s interests?

The Irrigation Association (IA) was quite successful during this farm bill debate, specifically due to the grassroots advocacy of our members. This past March, I had an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and participate in our fly-in, where we brought the IA priorities to Congress and asked for their support. I personally met with my member of Congress, who welcomed our message. The excitement I saw from both IA members and members of Congress regarding our farm bill advocacy made me even more proud to be a part of the irrigation industry.

Do you forecast there will be more funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program?

Well, we need a farm bill to pass first. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee that happening until after the midterm elections this November. And even then, if the Democrats gain control of the House and/or Senate, the farm bill debate will start again from the beginning. Regardless, once a farm bill does pass, I do see funding for EQIP growing. It is one of the farm bill programs

that enjoys support from both Republicans and Democrats. We just need to continue our support for the program and for the passage of the farm bill.

IRRIGATION INNOVATION CONSORTIUM What are the expected outcomes of the Irrigation Innovation Consortium?

How would the IA participate in or with this consortium?

We could not be more excited about the Irrigation Innovation Consortium. The universities involved, along with the volunteers who got this off the ground, did a fantastic job working with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to get the cost-share grant approved and the consortium started. We see the consortium as a leader in driving research relating to all aspects of irrigation, including agriculture, turf, landscape, greenhouse, etc. As a member of the consortium’s steering committee, the Irrigation Association will have an opportunity to help set the direction on how money for research is spent, including prioritizing much-needed research projects.

The next meeting of the steering committee will be at this year’s Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Long Beach, California. I look forward to learning more after this meeting regarding the next steps in getting this important consortium and its research projects underway.

What are the main activities the IA is doing in terms of promoting the future irrigation workforce?

Identifying and growing the future workforce of the irrigation industry is a top priority of the Irrigation Association. In fact, during our last strategic planning

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N E W S R E V I E W

session, it was recommended and approved by the IA board of directors that “workforce development” be added as an initiative within the strategic plan. We are fortunate at the IA to have our sister organization, the Irrigation Foundation, take much of the lead in promoting careers in irrigation. This includes hosting two faculty academies each year (one for turf-landscape and one for agriculture). These academies teach high school, community college and university-level teachers and professors about the irrigation industry and the different career opportunities that the industry provides. The IA has also developed an elementary school-level curriculum that is used throughout the United States in teaching elementary students about the benefits irrigation provides. While the IA does not have a magic answer on how to solve our workforce issues, we have these and many other initiatives underway that showcase just how beneficial a career in irrigation can be.

Finally, what will be the main novelties of this year’s Irrigation Show?

One of my favourite parts of the Irrigation Show each year is the new product contest. This year, a record number of new irrigation, lighting and speciality products have been entered into the contest and will be featured. There will be over 60 technologies showcased! This is exciting, as it shows just how fast new advancements in irrigation technologies are entering the market. In addition to the new product contest, our keynote speaker is former professional basketball player and NBA allstar Mark Eaton. Standing at 7 foot 4 inches tall, Mark is a larger-than-life individual who will share experiences both on and

‘‘

off the basketball court. Mark is a guy who shouldn’t be missed.

(Well, he’s a tough guy to miss given how tall he is.)

We hope to see everyone at the 2018 Irrigation Show and Education Conference this December in Long Beach, California. Information about the Irrigation Show can be found at www.irrigationshow.org.

The agricultural economy has been a challenge for the past few years.

This, along with trade uncertainty, is causing both angst and a lack of capital available for investment in farming practices, such as irrigation.

However, the interest in sprinkler irrigation continues to be at an all-time high.

’’

Jain Irrigation, Inc. acquires ETwater JAIN IRRIGATION, INC. (JAIN), is acquiring ETwater, innovator of intelligent irrigation technology and in the vanguard for creation of the smart irrigation controller.

ETwater patented technology integrates data science, machine learning and predictive analytics about weather forecast and environmental variables to automatically, optimally adjust site-specific irrigation schedules. Connecting over the internet, ETwater smart controllers get their schedules through secure cellular data net-

works, and users are able to remotely monitor and manage controllers from any mobile or smart device.

Richard Restuccia will lead the team. Restuccia is an industry thought leader for smart controllers and technology for water management. Before joining Jain Irrigation, Inc. in 2014, Restuccia was the first director of water management at ValleyCrest Companies (now Brightview), the largest landscape contractor in the United States.

$12.5 million for small scale irrigation research THE BORLAUG INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, has received an additional $12.5 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Feed the Future Innovation Laboratory for Small Scale Irrigation.

The Borlaug Institute is completing the fifth year of the competitively awarded cooperative agreement with USAID. The initial phase of the agreement was funded at $12.5 million for five years.

The extension provides a ceiling allowing optional funding of an additional $10 million from other sources such as the USAID Missions. The long-term partnership between Texas A&M and USAID was extended to 10 years with a potential total funding of $35 million, according to program coordinators.

The Feed the Future Innovation

Laboratory for Small Scale Irrigation, also known as ILSSI, is conducting small-scale irrigation research in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ghana.

Research is conducted to evaluate small-scale irrigation, also known as SSI, strategies in farmers’ fields. Household surveys are conducted in the areas surrounding field studies to evaluate economic, nutrition and gender related impacts of SSI. Also, an integrated decision support system, also known as IDSS, is used to assess the production, environmental and economic consequences of SSI farming systems.

Results of field studies are extended to national levels and used to plan and evaluate regional and national introduction of SSI schemes. With the ILSSI extension, it is considering expanding the agreement to other countries in Africa and Asia.

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A & L Canada and Deveron announce strategic alliance A & L CANADA LABORATORIES INC. and Deveron UAS Corp., both innovative leaders in agricultural services and technologies, will form a strategic alliance working towards completion of a definitive collaboration agreement.

The alliance between the companies considers several elements including cross promotion of ex-

isting services, joint development of value-add imaging and mapping products, and future development of remote sensing data integration services for farm clients. The goal of the alliance is to advance crop data collection, analysis and interpretation for enhanced farm productivity.

“Data, analytics and insights have always been the driving factors of

our vision in building Deveron as a leading drone data company in North America,” says David MacMillan, Deveron’s president and CEO. “A & L has a deep base in soil and plant science, analytics and agronomy, which will allow both companies to develop and offer complementary product offerings that are rooted in improving farm yields.”

“A & L expertise and capabilities are an excellent match with Deveron’s data collection and analytic platforms. I look forward to working with Deveron to bring this next wave of novel services and technologies to our customers,” said Greg Patterson, CEO and founder of A & L Canada Laboratories.

Blue-green algae promises to help boost food crop yields SCIENTISTS AT AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (ANU) have engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue-green algae into plants, in a breakthrough that promises to help boost the yields of important food crops such as wheat, cowpeas and cassava.

Lead researcher Dr. Ben Long from ANU said the discovery was a major leap forward in improving the way crops convert carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into energy - a process called photosynthesis, which is one of the main limitations to crop yield.

“For the first time, we have insert-

ed tiny compartments from cyanobacteria – commonly known as blue-green algae – into crop plants that form part of a system that could lead to a 60 per cent increase in plant growth and yield,” said Long.

These compartments, called carboxysomes, are responsible for making cyanobacteria so efficient at transforming carbon dioxide into energy-rich sugars. Rubisco, the enzyme responsible for fixing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is slow and finds it difficult to differentiate between carbon dioxide and oxygen, leading to wasteful energy loss. The Ru-

SOPIB ceases operations AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS actively promoting the benefits of sulphate of potash (SOP) fertilizer, the Sulphate of Potash Information Board (SOPIB) will cease its scientific and promotional activities at the end of 2018.

SOPIB was originally formed in 1997 under the initiative of four of the world’s key SOP producers: Tessenderlo Group in Belgium, K+S Kali in Germany, SQM in Chile and Compass Minerals in the USA. Their idea was that SOPIB would develop and promote the latest findings on the agronomic and

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economic advantages of SOP for a global agriculture.

Over the past 15 years, the global consumption of SOP has doubled from 3.3 million MT in 2003 to a forecasted consumption (by independent experts) of 6.7 to 7 million MT in 2018. This increase represents an annual growth rate of five per cent over the period, which proves SOP remains a valuable potash source, particularly for crops sensitive to chloride and in regions where there is a risk of salinity or under water stress conditions.

bisco enzyme inside cyanobacteria can capture carbon dioxide and generate sugars about three times faster than the Rubisco found in plants.

Computer models have shown that upgrading plant photosynthesis to use this mechanism will lead to a dramatic increase in plant growth and yield.

Azerbaijan establishes smart greenhouses THE AZERBAIJANI MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE is establishing seven modern “smart greenhouses.”

According to Elmar Allahverdiyev, director of the Research Institute of Vegetable Growing under the Ministry of Agriculture, the ministry started cooperating with Israel in the production of hybrid seeds of vegetables and melons.

As a result, “the installation of seven modern ‘smart greenhouses’ on the territory of the institute with an area of 6.14 hectares is nearing completion,” said Allahverdiyev. “In addition, for the creation of new varieties of open ground vegetables, the organization of seed production on 30 hectares of land, systems of drip and sprinkler irrigation are being built.”

The smart greenhouses will automatically control the climate in the greenhouses, so that weather

changes do not have a negative impact on plants. This solution also contributes to reducing costs when growing agricultural products, saving energy and, minimizing the impact of the human factor.

Azerbaijan has three major greenhouse vegetable production areas: the western part of the country (mainly Ganja and Shamkir regions); the central region (mainly Absheron peninsula); and the southern region Lankaran and Astara area. Of this area, which is approximately 280 hectares, about 20 per cent are antiquated Soviet-style greenhouses. Many of these are currently being updated and repaired by their owners.

Additionally, new structures of Israeli, Dutch, Turkish and Italian companies have been built or are in the planning stages of construction.

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Larderello Group opens subsidiary in Beijing LARDERELLO GROUP (SCL GROUP) has opened its Chinese subsidiary, SCL (Beijing) Trading Co., Ltd. The new subsidiary is based in Beijing and will be led by general manager Sun Jin. This establishment will provide more efficient and professional service, as well as more applicable products

for the Chinese market.

“Since early 2016, when Mr. Sun Jin started to be in charge of SCL business in China, he has gained significant achievements in distribution channel development, brands operation and team building,” said Tommaso Trigona, vicepresident of SCL Group. “We be-

lieve that under his leadership, the Chinese team will allow more clients to understand and recognize FertiGlobal.”

FertiGlobal is the brand for global agrochemical products of SCL. Since entering into the Chinese market in 2000, FertiGlobal has been growing rapidly, thanks to its

OCP and Hubei Forbon to develop biostimulants and biofertilizers MOROCCO’S PHOSPHATE GROUP, OCP, and Chinese Hubei Forbon, which specializes in fertilizer additives, have signed a comprehensive partnership agreement under which they will jointly develop a new generation of ecofriendly fertilizers.

10 www.newaginternational.com

Under the partnership, the two companies will work together to develop a new generation of high added-value fertilizers such as biostimulants, sulphur fertilizers, fertilizers with micronutrients and water-soluble fertilizers. They will also work to promote smart farm-

ing.

The two partners are also discussing the creation of a join R&D centre in China, the statement said. This joint centre will be dedicated to innovation and will benefit from an academic, industrial and scientific diversity ecosystem.

stable and high product quality.

Today, the FertiGlobal portfolio in China includes the products of Foliarel, Foliflo and Folikel.

Established in 1818, SCL group is the first enterprise involved in the research and development of industrial boron, and the first to sup-

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$600 million satellite to boost agriculture sector ARGENTINA IS LAUNCHING a new microwave imaging satellite to monitor natural disasters and soil moisture, in a long-term bid to bolster the farm sector, an industry that has historically been the backbone of the country’s economy.

Scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Oct. 6, Argentina’s SAOCOM 1a satellite “is going to boost the high-quality precision agriculture Argentina relies on,” President Mauricio Macri told farmers and industry representatives last week.

Scientists say the soil and subsurface mapping data provided by the $600 million project should help increase crop yields. While Argentina’s previous satellites have relied on optical surveying, scientists say

the SAOCOM mission will provide precision X-ray and microwave imaging across Argentina’s grain-producing plains, regardless

of weather or time of day.

The radar antennae technology will allow Argentina to access a real time “water map,” almost

unique in the world, which will allow for prediction of harvest yields, floods and droughts, the government said.

China’s agricultural remote sensing monitoring provides global service CHINA’S AGRICULTURAL remote sensing monitoring platform has provided information services to 147 countries and regions, its developer said in late August 2018.

Named CropWatch, the platform was launched in 1998. Based on remote sensing and ground observation data, the system independently assesses crop growth, yield

and related information at global and national scales. It is currently one of the major international remote sensing monitoring systems for agriculture.

The system was initiated by the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

A program named Digital Belt and Road, which is located in the insti-

tute, aims to customize the platform into an agricultural monitoring cloud platform for Belt and Road countries.

It will promote agricultural information sharing for Belt and Road countries to address the lack of information related to food security, according to the institute.

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what makes Gen Up® work is the metabolite coming from the developed genomic researches.

It activates secondary metabolic processes of the plant (more sugars and calcium) and it enhances the genetic potential of the treated crop giving uniformity to the growth.

grabichemical.com topbiostimulants.com

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As CO2 levels climb, millions at risk of nutritional deficiencies RISING LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) from human activity are making staple crops such as rice and wheat less nutritious and could result in 175 million people becoming zinc deficient and 122 million people becoming protein deficient by 2050, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study also found that more than one billion women and children could lose a large amount of their dietary iron intake, putting them at increased

risk of anemia and other diseases.

The study was published online August 27, 2018 in Nature Climate Change.

It has been shown that higher atmospheric levels of CO2 result in less nutritious crop yields, with concentrations of protein, iron, and zinc being three to 17 per cent lower when crops are grown in environments where CO2 concentrations are 550 parts per million (ppm) compared with crops grown under current atmospheric conditions, in which CO2

levels are just above 400 ppm. The study showed that by the middle of this century, when atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected to reach around 550 ppm, 1.9 per cent of the global population – or roughly 175 million people, based on 2050 population estimates – could become deficient in zinc and that 1.3 per cent of the global population, or 122 million people, could become protein deficient. Additionally, 1.4 billion women of childbearing age and children under five who are currently at

high risk of iron deficiency could have their dietary iron intakes reduced by four per cent or more. According to the study, India would bear the greatest burden, with an estimated 50 million people becoming zinc deficient, 38 million becoming protein deficient, and 502 million women and children becoming vulnerable to diseases associated with iron deficiency. Other countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East would also be significantly impacted.

Russian greenhouse vegetable production up 20.7 per cent

Greenhouse complex to be built in Tambov, Russia region

ACCORDING TO DATA provided by agricultural enterprises, greenhouse vegetable production in Russia in August 2018 amounted to over 665,000 tons, which is 20.7 per cent higher than the same period last year (551,000 tons). Breaking down those figures, 431,000 tons of cucumbers (12.9 per cent of increase to the data of 2017 – 382,000 tons) have been harvested, and 224,000 tons of tomatoes (39.5 per cent of increase compared to the data of 2017 – 161,000 tons). Other vegetable crops amounted to 11,000 tons, which exceeds the level of 2017 (9,000 tons) by 20.6 per cent.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR GREENHOUSE COMPLEX has begun in the Michurin area of the Tambov region in Russia. Saint Petersburg company Tehnologii Teplichnogo Rosta, specializing in greenhouse vegetable production, is investing in the project. The pro-

Turkish entrepreneurs and university to develop geothermal greenhouse KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY and an investment firm have signed a partnership agreement to set up geothermal greenhouses in the city, located in central Turkey.

The project will take place in the Karakurt region of Kirsehir and the university hopes to bring in more investments to this particular region, which has geothermal resources available. The greenhouse will be set up on a plot of five million square feet.

Kirsehir, a moderately small city in the centre of Turkey, has significant potential in geothermal resources, however, so far it has been unable to utilize this potential. Geothermal energy is used in agricultural production in Turkey where greenhouses are heated through geothermal energy, and the products grown in these greenhouses contribute significantly to the local economy.

The greenhouses will be supervised

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by the university itself and will be allocated to local entrepreneurs.

Greenhouses will also be used as a laboratory by the university to research products and varieties. The goal is to have vegetable production year-round and generate significant income for the city. Another important benefit of the project is the contribution to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and bringing another stream of revenue to the area.

ject is valuated at $335.2 million euros. As the representatives of the Tambov regional government reported, the first phase has already begun, excavation works are being carried out, and water and gas supply projects are being implemented.

Construction will be carried out in three stages. During the first phase, greenhouses of 30 hectares (ha) will be built with the launch planned for summer of 2019. Another 29 ha of greenhouses will be launched in less than a year. The third phase with the same greenhouse acreage will start operating in 2021. As a result, 1,500 specialists will be employed in the enterprise. Production capacity is planned to reach 100,000 tons.

The greenhouse complex will include 12 production sections, service and sorting zones, a nursery, training centre and a contemporary wholesale distribution centre. The enterprise will be producing tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, lettuce and greenery.

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Grupa Azoty acquires COMPO EXPERT Group GRUPA AZOTY has acquired COMPO EXPERT Group, one of the world's leaders in the market of specialty fertilizers for professional users, following an offer initially made in February 2018.

The COMPO EXPERT product portfolio will complement Grupa Azoty's existing diverse range of high-volume products. It will provide advanced solutions for controlled release fertilizers slow release fertilizers, fertigation and foliar fertilizers, liquid fertilizers and biostimulants, as well as specialty NPK fertilizers with a high nutrient concentration.

COMPO EXPERT Group is a leading independent global manufacturer of high added-value specialty fertilizers for professional use in the markets of Asia, Europe, the Americas and South Africa. The

company's key production assets are located in Krefeld, Germany, and Vall d'Uixo, Spain.

“Specialty fertilizers are a group of products which we have long wanted to add to our customer offer,” says Wojciech Wardacki, PhD, president of the management board of Grupa Azoty S.A. “Thanks to the addition of highlyskilled staff, we intend to build Grupa Azoty's market position in new business segments such as fertilizers for large-area vegetable, horticultural and fruit plantations in nearly 100 countries on five continents.”

The purchase price for 100 per cent of shares in the COMPO EXPERT Group will not be higher than 235 million euros and will be financed entirely with credit lines available to Grupa Azoty.

The transaction will be closed after the approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Grupa Azoty's Shareholders and the receipt of the required market ap-

provals from the relevant merger control authorities in certain countries of operation, is expected to happen no later than in the first quarter of 2019.

Greenhouse to be opened in the Urals THE HEAD OF THE URAL REGION has signed an agreement on the creation of infrastructure for an agricultural park in Ust-Kataev. The project, valued at 21.5 million euros, will be financed from the federal and regional budgets as well as by private investors, reported the governmental press service.

The greenhouse complex will have

an acreage of 25 hectares. Vegetables will be grown there yearround in accordance with the newest technologies.

According to the head of the Agricultural Park of Urals, Evgeniy Baturin, the construction of the greenhouse complex is going at full speed. The launch is planned at the end of the current year. The new enterprise will employ over 700 locals.

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13th Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting: ABIM 2018

Finding new regulatory solutions for Europe

The well-established ABIM conference, considered the most important world industry event for biopesticides, took place in Basel this October with its most successful attendance to date. A total of 1,162 delegates, representing 526 companies from 52 countries across the globe, attended ABIM 2018. The program covered a variety of topics for the industry and provided a great opportunity for networking with manufacturers and suppliers active in the biocontrol industry.

On this occasion, IBMA called for a new regulatory pathway regarding biological PPPs, proposing that by the end of 2020, the EU establishes a bioprotection-specific body with a precise timeline for the evaluation process.

Whether the authorities and regulatory bodies at the EU level will consider IBMA’s proposal positively remains to be seen.

Marianne Loison reports.

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ABIM MEETING IS CERTAINLY “A GOOD SET FOR INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS,” said David Cary, Executive Director of IBMA, and also a strategic place to debate on regulation. For this 13th biocontrol industry meeting, IBMA has launched a “white book” with proposals for solutions to ensure implementation in the circular bioeconomy for agriculture. The white book states: “Streamlined and faster regulatory procedures will deliver sustainable bioprotection solutions.”

What are the advantages of finding new regulatory solutions?

IBMA displays a long list of benefits: eliminate disproportionate costs; assess the risk specifically linked to bioprotection technology; shorter evaluation period. The

benefit is also to answer society’s call for safe food without residues and minimal impact on the environment. The white book will be widely distributed to manufacturers, administrators, advisers and consumers around Europe. The biocontrol industry has also prolonged the Copa-Cogeca – IBMA Roadmap for collaboration in 2018-2025. Its objectives are to ensure farmers are provided with effective biocontrol solutions, available without unnecessary delays, and also used in a reliable manner.

REGULATION FRAME IN EUROPEAN UNION Opening the first plenary session of ABIM 2018, Cary and Ulf Heilig, an expert in regulatory

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affairs, reviewed the latest decisions of the EU. The commission was to present a report to European Parliament and Council

by Dec. 14, 2014 on mutual recognition, national restrictions, comparative assessment, zonal system, approval criteria and their impact on agriculture, human health and environment. This report might be accompanied, if necessary, by appropriate legislative proposals. In November 2016, the Commission published a roadmap with five main evaluation criteria: effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added-value. Evaluation criteria of the Roadmap were taken up and expanded on in 28 evaluation questions. The mission was to perform an evidence-based assessment of the implementation of plant protection products (PPP) legislation concerning the placing on the market and pesticide residues, and to deliver a study that will be used by the EU

Commission to report to European Parliament and Council.

Ecorys, one of the largest international policy research and consultancy companies in Europe, was asked to focus the study on functioning and implementation of PPP legislation, not on proposals for legislation.

NO COMMON AGREEMENT AMONG STAKEHOLDERS ON ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESSES In order to feed the Ecorys report, 244 stakeholders responded to 136 questions and provided comments, some of which included: • Commit to developing innovative, high-quality efficacious tools sourced from nature for use by European farmers in sustainable agriculture; • Stresses: current legislation restricts availability of innovative green PPP and is not suitable for BCAs; • Supports: assessment at a

level proportionate to their nature and level of risk; • Demands: a new regulation for biological inputs into agriculture, or at the very least, a dedicated stream with appropriate data requirements and expert evaluators, including single one zone authorization, fast-track system, time unlimited authorization; provision for data call-in.

Stakeholders interviews with IBMA took place on March 27, 2018. The objective was to clarify specific aspects related to harmonized system online consultation.

Ecorys issued guidance with 25

IBMA’S VIEW ON RELEVANT PATHWAY: A NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY BIOLOGICAL PPPS ARE REGULATED WITHIN EUROPE

ERIC LIÉGEOIS, EU COMMISSION

“A low-risk action plan with 40 concrete actions has been agreed”

All pictures courtesy of M. Loison

stream for biocontrol products.

In May 2018, the 60 attendees of all categories – Commission, MSs, stakeholders, farmers, industry and NGOs – identified shortcomings of Regulation No 1107/2009: • Zonal system not working due to insufficient trust and national requirements • Mutual recognition not sufficiently harmonized .

• Legal timelines exceeded.

• Emergency authorizations increasing.

• No substitution resulting from comparative assessment.

• Complaints about timelines inappropriate for low-risk substances.

In its report, Ecorys concluded there was no common agreement among stakeholders on the assessment and the risk management processes.

open questions. The opportunity was used by IBMA to highlight shortcomings of current approaches to biocontrol; inappropriateness of data requirements; lack of expertise of certain evaluators and consequences; and, poor alignment of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 with SUD. Moreover, IBMA insisted on the importance of speeding up processes for biological lowrisk products and the need for separate regulations, or at least specific rules, data requirements and a separate fast-track

The perception of IBMA on this report was that it collected a great number of facts and views.

In many respects, the intermediate findings reflect observations made by IBMA. “But, intermediate report makes no proposals for specific approach to BCAs [biocontrol agents], as it mentions that data requirements and procedures are not considered as appropriate and proportional to non-chemical solutions, which particularly affects small and medium-sized enterprises,” said Heilig.

An open public consultation was added to the report with almost 10,000 responses. In this consultation, 91 per cent of citizens responded the way pesticides are applied or used does not sufficiently reduce the impact on the environment. Also, the consulta-

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tion noted “farmers fear a decrease of the availability of PPPs in the coming years.” The coherence of regulations succeeded to some extent to establish a coherent policy in the area of pesticides. Stakeholders in particular appear to be in favour of further harmonizing and strengthening the role of the EU with regards to certain aspects of the regulations.

Ecorys’ final study report was published on Oct. 10, 2018. The next step will be a study report published separately by the Commission or integrated in the

Commission Report to European Parliament and Council, by 2019. Then, the European Commission will take REFIT report to the European Parliament and Council by March 2019, including conflicting comments on content and conflicting interests of stakeholders.

“On our side, IBMA see a need to change the way biological PPPs are regulated within Europe.

We have and will continue to engage in the REFIT process like the European Parliament and the member states, with the

EU Expert Group on Sustainable Plant Protection,” said Cary.

IBMA call on EU Commission to carry out without delay the EP Motion for resolution of Feb. 15, 2017 on low-risk pesticides of biological origin. In its white book, IBMA proposes the EU develop a new appropriate legislative framework by the end of 2020: “…faster regulation can be achieved by a system designed with a single EU body for regulating bioprotection technologies.”

IBMA also calls for a new regulatory pathway for biological PPPs

dedicated to biologicals experienced in relevant specialities, appropriate data requirements, and appropriate interpretation of the precautionary principles.

IBMA offer to be fully engaged in the development of a relevant pathway.

EU LOW-RISK ACTION PLAN AND WEB PORTAL FOR 2019 A presentation by Eric Liégeois, from DG Sante Pesticides Unit, gave more details about the regulatory issue analyzed by the EU Commission, as a new team for

Bernard Blum’s 2018 award goes to Marrone Bio Innovations for Burkholderia Product Line This award, dedicated to Bernard Blum, founder of IBMA, has been handed every year since 2015 to an innovative bioproduct that also demonstrates commercial opportunities. The award ceremony took place in the presence of Willem Ravensberg, IBMA President; David Cary, Executive Director of IBMA; Owen Jones, Chairman of the Award committee; and Francois Levesque, Managing Director of New Ag International, in the Congress Centre of Basel, on Oct. 22, 2018.

Could you dream of a natural product active as a herbicide, nematicide and insecticide? One has been discovered by Marrone Bio Innovations inside a multi-function bacteria.

“This strain – Burkholderia rinojensis – was discovered near a Japanese temple. The composition is a cocktail of complex molecules, some of which were and are still unknown,” explained Dr. Pamela Marrone, CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations.

Some active ingredients of Burkholderia are active on an insect’s cuticle, some on nematodes and some on weeds. So, Marrone Bio Innovations has developed not only one, but a range of products based on extracts of this non-living bacteria. The manufacturing process has led to bioinsecticide products Majestene and Venerate, registered by the EPA in 2014. The efficacy spectrum is very broad on major soil pests. One of the first uses in North America will be as a seed treatment on corn, targeting Diabrotica.

“Majestene has been succesfully tested on potatoes and wheat, showing biostimulating effects,” said Keith Pitts, vice-president of regulatory affairs with Marrone Bio Innovations. Burkholderia extracts are tested as bionematicide on major crops, and on banana and coffee. They are non-toxic and low risk to non-target organisms and to honeybees.

Another manufacturing process maximizing the herbicidal power of Burkholderia, has allowed the creation of MBI-014 bioherbicide. “This is a great discovery. We are very proud to have won such a prestigious award within the biological pest management industry” said Marrone.

“We thank the IBMA for recognizing the innovative work our scientists perform every day.”

Fytosave and Eco-Noc also selected in the final shortlist Two other products were selected in the short list by the IBMA Award committee: the biofungicide Fytosave (Fytofend Belgium) and the microbial

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François Levesque, managing director of New Ag International (left), Pam Marrone, CEO Marrone Bio Innovations and Willem Ravensberg, President of IBMA.

bioinsecticide Eco-Noc (Plant Health Products - South Africa).

The commercial formulation of FytoSave contains 12.5 g/L of active ingredient COS-OGA and is registered in Europe for the control of powdery mildew on vegetables including potatoes and cucurbits, and also on small fruits (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry), roses, bulb flowers, herbs and aromatic plants. On grapevine, FytoSave is registered for powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) and also for downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). Novel uses of FytoSave will soon include protection against rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae), apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and black leaf streak disease of banana (Pseudocercospora fijiensis).

Formulated by Plant Health Products, Eco-noc is based on Metarhizium rileyi, an entomopathogenic fungus different from other Metarhizium species currently used. This strain is more specific to its lepidopteran pests, especially from the Noctuidae family, including major pests such as fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), African bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and other Spodoptera spp. This bioinsecticide will be of interest for corn and soybean protection, and also provide an ecological solution to prevent the introduction of fall armyworm into Africa.

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biocontrol is in charge. There is “a low-risk action plan with 40 concrete actions agreed upon,” he said.

DG Sante also confirms they will

have seen in demonstration farms, adopting integrated methods and biosolutions, now has to be spread to other farms.”

THE MARKET FOR BIOPESTICIDES: ALMOST US$4 BILLION IN 2018

DAVID CARY, IBMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“On our side, IBMA sees a need to change the way biological PPPs are regulated within Europe”

undertake to optimize zonal system approval and optimize procedure on MRL for low-risk products. “There will be an EPPO guideline on efficacy evaluation.

The plan will develop a web portal with relevant information on IPM in the EU at the beginning of 2019,” said Liégeois.

Recent research projects are supporting these actions: “OPTIMA: Optimized Pest Integrated Management to precisely detect and control plant diseases in perennial crops and open-field vegetables” and “SuperPests: Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests (super pests) and the diseases they transmit.”

DG Sante also plans to make it easier for member states to share information. “After four audits in 2018 in four countries and six more audits in 2019, this is a work in progress,” said Dara O’Shea, from DG Sante Unit. He added that the sustainable use directive gives priority to nonchemical control and to low-risk pesticides. “But the progress we

IPM promotion and regulation of biocontrols are not the only drivers of the market. “Business consolidation will increase the gap among biocontrol companies in terms of market access and financial muscle to fund R&D,” said Bill Dunham with DunhamTrimmer and Editor of 2BMonthly. “The entry of global companies in this business will definitely impact the model for other players.”

The essential point for biocontrol companies is that “now they have become visible,” noted Dunham.

His projections for biopesticides and macroorganisms, is that together they will increase their total value from $3.8 billion in 2018 to more than $5 billion in 2020, and possibly $11 billion in 2025. Today, USA, Canada and Europe represent each one-third of the global biocontrol market. In the next few years, Latin America will probably be the fastest growing region for biopesticides, as

BILL DUNHAM, DUNHAMTRIMMER AND EDITOR 2BMONTHLY

“Business consolidation will increase the gap among biocontrol companies in terms of market access and financial power to fund R&D”

crops and climate are well-adapted to their use. Brazil should be the first country to expand biocontrol on raw crops.

“Microbials have the biggest share of the global world market and will continue to make up nearly 60 per cent of total market through 2025,” said Dunham. “Other product segments – biochemicals and macroorganisms – will grow much faster than the traditional crop protection market.”

Today, bioinsecticides and biofungicides make up 90 per cent of the market, but the bionematicides could grow quickly with the entry of new products.

Interestingly, traditional agriculture is the first consumer of biocontrol, far ahead of organic agriculture.

“Lower costs and a shorter registration timeline in key markets make biopesticides attractive,” noted Dunham. “I believe we have a good future for biocontrol, if we put all the drivers together.” n

New technologies and bioproducts: Highlights of ABIM 2018 Natural Substances • Caroline Bonneau, Végépolys: A field sampling kit to evaluate and confirm plant defense induction of Romeao in field conditions.

• Dawn Williams, IES: Analytical challenges & issues of biological a.s. in E-fate and Ecotoxicological testing regimes.

• Christophe Zambaux, Silvateam: Castanea & Schinopsis sp. tannins – Crop protection natural extracts.

• Estelle Moreau, Arysta: Bringing R&D to the olive sector.

• Noemi Herrero, Agrotecnologia: Overcoming instability of natural extract based products with smart formulations.

• Géraldine van Aubel, Fytofend: FytoSol, a new COS-OGA derivative to fight potato late blight.

Semiochemicals • Jaume Roig, Probodelt: Use of mass trapping to control Bactrocera oleae in Spain.

• Alessandra Moccia, Suterra: Towards a proportionate regulation for semiochemicals- how far did we get?

Microbials The increasing use of microbial pesticides, and developments in the food value chain.

• Mark Whittaker, APIS: Testing methods for microbials.

• Daniel Zommick, Valent BioSciences: Update on Diagnostic Methods for Differentiating Bacillus thuringiensis from B. cereus sensu lato in Food.

• Amelie Deredjian, Bayer Biologics: Antibiotic Resistance in Agricultural Applications: What’s the Struggle?

• Pilar Martínez-Hildago, University of Salamanca, Grupo Agrotecnologia: Boosting microbial biocontrol products with efficient formulations.

• John Groome, Batelle: Encapsulation of biologics for agricultural application.

• Patrique Le Vieux, BASF: Combining biologicals with chemistry, determining tangible benefits.

• Peter Lüth, P. Lueth Biocontrol Consulting: Control of Striga hermonthica by Fusarium oxysporum – The Toothpick Project.

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