Biocontrol Agents: Fungi, Bacteria, and Viruses for Residue-Free Pest Control

Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agro — from the grain chain to sustainable extractivism, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock and much more. Biocontrol agents — entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria, Metarhizium), bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), viruses (baculovírus) and parasitoids (Trichogramma) — are the fastest-growing alternative for pest control in Brazil. With the market growing 35% per year and increasing residue pressure on exports, biologicals are the plant protection product with the greatest business opportunity of the 21st century.

Brazil has a unique competitive advantage in biocontrol — with the greatest biodiversity of entomopathogenic microorganisms in the world and national companies such as Koppert, Laverlam and ICB Biotech leading the development of registered products. The Baculovirus for soybean caterpillar (Spodoptera frugiperda) is the biological product with the highest adoption in Brazilian soybean.

When biocontrol agents are integrated into MIP with correct timing and adequate application conditions, there is a great improvement in cultivation processes. This segment can contribute greatly to job and income generation in Brazil.

The series Innovation For Brazil to Produce More was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, policymakers and marketers.

1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to integrate biocontrol agents into MIP for maximum efficiency

Effective biocontrol requires preventive application or at the beginning of the infestation — when the pest population is low. Unlike an insecticide, which acts quickly but has a short residual effect, an entomopathogenic fungus takes 5 to 10 days to kill the pest, but leaves spores that continue controlling for weeks.

✔ Preventive application — 30 to 45 days before the pest peak

✔ Beauveria bassiana for sugarcane borer, boll weevil, mites

✔ Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars — the most used product worldwide

✔ Baculovirus for Spodoptera — specific and without MRL

✔ Trichogramma for lepidopteran eggs — efficient parasitoid

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and the other 254 agro segments in Brazil — focusing on method, cost reduction and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for R$ 50 →

2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

Which equipment the biocontrol chain demands

Biocontrol demands biofactories, applicators and quality control laboratories — all in accelerated growth.

Solutions by engineering area applied to the segment

Our activities, studies and advanced research cover six major engineering areas — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical and Computer Engineering — biofactories for entomopathogenic fungi;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — sensors for agent quality and viability;

Control and Automation Engineering — fermenters for Bacillus and fungi;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — biocontrol applicators (drench, spray, drones);

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for biofactories;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — application timing models.

✔ Biofactories for Beauveria, Metarhizium and Trichoderma

✔ Quality control laboratories for biologicals

✔ MIP consultants with biocontrol

✔ Biocontrol applicators via drone

✔ Refrigerated distribution of biological agents

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation and specialized technical services. Access now for R$ 150 →

3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support biocontrol and create a biologicals hub

The biocontrol hub is the most impactful innovation project for reducing agrochemicals — and the municipality that supports local biofactories creates a high-value product with proven environmental benefit.

✔ Cooperated mini-biofactory for Bacillus and Trichoderma

✔ Municipal IDM: percentage of cropland with biocontrol

✔ Partnership with a university to develop local agents

✔ School of MIP and biocontrol for technicians

✔ Export of certified biological agents

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 agro segments. Access now for R$ 450 →

4. Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How biocontrol generates business for biofactories and MIP consultants

The local biofactory of Beauveria bassiana produces the product at R$ 3 to R$ 8/kg and sells it for R$ 30 to R$ 80/kg to distributors — with raw material of sugar and inexpensive nitrogen sources and a simple fermentation process at an artisanal scale.

For the exporter of organically certified products, biocontrol agents without MRL are the plant protection product with unrestricted access to all international markets — without the risk of embargo due to residues, which is the exporter’s largest cost for fruits and vegetables.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Beauveria bassiana for borer and mite— local biofactory;

Bacillus thuringiensis for caterpillars— largest market volume;

Baculovirus for Spodoptera— soybean without MRL;

Trichogramma for lepidopteran eggs— efficient parasitoid;

MIP consulting with biologicals— high-value service;

Trichoderma for soil— control of fusarium and pythium.

Profiles of retailers and their specific opportunities

✔ Biofactories: Beauveria, Bacillus, Trichoderma

✔ Distributors: regional biologicals portfolio

✔ MIP consultants: integration biological + chemical

✔ Organic producers: biocontrol as the only resource

✔ Exporters: products without MRL for the international market

✔ Application drones: biocontrol by drone

Growth strategies for the local retailer

The local biofactory that produces Beauveria and sells with technical application support has the product with the least competition and the highest margin in the biological inputs market — because the local agent has proven quality in the region and the producer pays a premium for traceability of origin.

BNDES and Finep support biofactories. Pronampe finances distributors. SEBRAE subsidizes mini-biofactories.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Retailer maps 30 retailer profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 agro segments. Access now for R$ 150 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Members who form groups can organize in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide. The minimum number of members varies according to the group profile:

✔ Small Rural Producers: 100 members

✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies: 33 members

✔ Municipal Governments: 10 members

✔ Small Agricultural Product Retailers: 33 members

⭐ Special offer: I will provide a 100% discount on the value of my hourly rate for the first 10 events held in Brazil, scheduled and confirmed by March 31, 2026.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Teaching experience: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of experience in Engineering