The Role of Biological Inputs

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

There is definitely a trend in the agricultural inputs industry to come up with more biological solutions. But some are questioning if focusing on these products is truly going to lead to more efficient or sustainable outcomes. BASF Agricultural Solutions president Livio Tedeschi says he is in favor of biologicals, but says consumers should not push for this over concerns with chemical residues.

Tedeschi… “Requirements in terms of minimum residues are so strict that in conventional agriculture, food safety is always granted by the safe use of product as approved by the regulation agencies.”

Despite his belief that chemistry is used in agricultural safely, Tedeschi says BASF sees opportunities for multiple solutions for the farm of the future.

Tedeschi… “We're not very dogmatic that it is either only organic chemistry or only organic agriculture or conventional agriculture. Biologicals play a very important role because sometimes you can address very specific pests, for example, for which you do not have other type of solutions. And therefore integrating biologicals in any spraying program can yield really big benefits.”

Part of a multidisciplinary approach to solving the agricultural problems of the future.