✍🏻24 September was held II International Scientific ConferenceThe event brought together leading scientists, farmers, biological manufacturers and government officials from all over Ukraine and abroad.
The main topic - "Biological Plant Protection: Achievements and Prospects" - was a platform for discussing the most pressing challenges and solutions in the field of biologisation of agriculture.

Organiser: Biotechnology Engineering Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
The event united the participants around the most important goal - finding answers to the challenges of our time. After all, it is in the interaction of experience and youthful drive that new solutions and innovative approaches are born that can change the industry.

💬Vladislav YAROSHEVSKYDirector of the ITI "Biotechnology" NAAS, PhD, opened the event with an inspirational speech:
"Today, biological plant protection is a strategic response to global challenges: climate change, loss of soil fertility, and environmental crises. Our task is to combine science, production and agribusiness to create a sustainable crop protection system that will work for the future of Ukraine. Modern biological products, entomophages, and microbiological agents are the way to restore the ecosystem and increase the competitiveness of our agriculture in global markets."

🔑 Conference sections
The conference was divided into five key sections, each of which highlighted current achievements and identified areas for future research:
1️⃣ Mechanisation and automation of the production of biological plant protection products
- Innovative hardware and software systems capable of automating the production of entomological products are presented.
2️⃣ Mass production and use of entomoacarifages in plant protection
- The technologies of large-scale breeding of beneficial insects and mites for biological pest control are considered.
3️⃣ Production and use of microbiological products
- The potential of bacterial fertilisers and microbiological fungicides to increase crop resistance is discussed.
4️⃣ Biological basis of pest management in agrocenoses
- The results of field studies proving the possibility of reducing the pesticide load to 50% are presented.
5️⃣ Theoretical and practical aspects of biologisation of agriculture
- The prospects for integrated power and protection systems that combine biotechnology and precision agriculture are identified.

💬The participants were warmly welcomed by Alla STOYANOVAChairman of the Agrarian Odesa Region parliamentary group:
"Today, Ukraine's agricultural sector is going through enormous challenges: war, destruction of irrigation systems, fertile soils, and climate change. However, science, biologisation, and the integration of biotechnology into production are our chance not only to preserve but also to increase the agricultural potential. Together with scientists, business and the government, we must create new rules of the game so that Ukrainian farmers have access to modern technologies and support tools.

Today we are opening not just a scientific conference - we are opening the door to the future of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. The Biotechnology Institute of Engineering and Technology of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine is a place where ideas are born that change the country's agricultural map. You create technologies that protect our plants, preserve soil fertility and give Ukrainian farmers a chance to work efficiently, environmentally friendly and competitively on the global market. You are the creators of the future, where biological methods of protection become the standard. Your work is a daily contribution to the food security of Ukraine and the world.

Who leads the world in biotechnology? The United States of America, China and Germany.
And I want Ukraine to be among the leaders!

According to the UN, by 2050, the world's population will grow to 9.7 billion people, and food production will need to increase by 60% to avoid hunger. Biotechnology is the key to this growth: it allows us to get more from each hectare while preserving soil fertility," said Alla Stoyanova.

🚀 Development prospects in Ukraine

The conference outlined the main vectors of movement:

- scaling up the production of domestic biological products;

- creation of biotechnology clusters in the regions of Ukraine;

- attracting state and international funding;

- integration of precision farming, digital monitoring and IoT solutions;

- Development of farmer training and advisory systems

💬Vladimir Bulgakov
Head of the Department of Mechanics at NUBiP of Ukraine, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, noted that: "In science, as in life, out of ten results, one must be truly impressive to leave a mark on history.
Today we want to witness just such an example.

I would like to note Alla StoyanovaI had the honour to meet her in person at the 50th anniversary of the Institute - her speech was truly fascinating to me. And today she is with us again, impressing with her depth of thought and clear vision of biotechnology development.

We are on the threshold of an era when biotechnology is becoming not only a tool of science, but also the foundation for sustainable development, food security and a new economic breakthrough for Ukraine. Strong specialists are the powerful impetus that shapes the future.
I am proud to note that Ukrainian science demonstrates not only results, but also creates impressive prospects."

📝 Speech by the professor Tudor Nastas, Head of the Research Laboratory at the Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection of the State University of Moldova, was a real highlight of our international biotechnology conference. His presentation on "The use of insect sexual pheromones in an integrated plant protection system: modern approaches and prospects" was not only scientifically sound, but also very interesting.

Three key highlights from the speech that were particularly impressive:
1️⃣ Sexual pheromones - is an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides that reduces the burden on the environment.
2️⃣ The use of pheromones in integrated protection systems can significantly reduce pest resistance and increase Sustainability of agroecosystems.
3️⃣ International cooperation and the exchange of experience in this area is key to creating a global biotechnology platform for sustainable agriculture.

The II International Conference was another proof that biological plant protection is the key to sustainable development of Ukraine's agricultural sector.

Today, science gives farmers a unique chance to move to a new level of production, preserving nature and ensuring the country's food security.

💙💛WE WORK TOGETHER TO WIN!