Emerging Trends in Biological Solutions

Driven by factors such as increasing demand for organic and natural products, rising concerns about food safety and security, and a growing focus on sustainable agriculture practices, the growth prospects for biological solutions in the agri-industry look promising in 2024 as well.

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HARSHVARDHAN BHAGCHANDKA,

President, IPL Biologicals

There is no denying the fact that India is a country with an agrarian economy, where a large number of people depend on agriculture. And in today's ever-evolving era, various crop cultivations have revealed the country’s agricultural wealth. The country’s economy relies greatly on agriculture, providing employment and food security for its large citizenry. To highlight this fact, Statista indicates that more than 151 million people earn their living in this industry, which generates diverse advantages and accounts for approximately 18 per cent of the country's GDP.

Nonetheless, in addition to the benefits, other health and environmental problems have taken centre stage, causing negative consequences for the agriculture sector and threatening its viability. Issues such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and the excessive and injudicious use of pesticides have led to decreased crop yields and increased health risks for farmers and consumers. In a bid to address these challenges, various trends have emerged, including sustainable farming practices, technical developments, and government laws decreasing chemical inputs and boosting organic sustainable farming. Nevertheless, it is still a complex process to achieve agricultural production while considering protecting the environment and safeguarding the health of farming populations.