🔥On 10 December, the Bureau of the Presidium of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS) considered a strategic issue for the country at a regular meeting: "Formation and mechanisms for implementing the policy of effective application of biological plant protection methods in Ukraine".

📄 In fact, it is a transition from a predominantly chemical model of crop protection to a greener, biologically oriented system that has already become mainstream in developed economies.

JAROSLAV GADZAL'S INTRODUCTION: BIOTECHNOLOGY AS A RESPONSE TO GLOBAL RISKS

In his opening remarks, Yaroslav GADZALO, President of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, stressed that the issue of biological plant protection goes far beyond the scope of purely agricultural topics:
"We are living in an era of rapid turbo development of biotechnology in the world. Against the backdrop of climate changeIn the face of climate change, population growth, soil depletion, and increased competition for food resources, biological solutions are becoming the key to sustainable development. Ukraine has sufficient scientific potential to shape trends in the field of biosecurity rather than catch up. Today, we are talking not only about technology, but also about the future model of the country's agricultural policy."
Thus, the Bureau's meeting was actually focused on the political and economic foundations of the transition to a more sustainable farming model.

✍🏻ДОПОВІДЬ: NUMBERS, TRENDS, POLITICS

Vladyslav YAROSHEVSKY, Director of the Biotechnology Engineering Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, PhD in Engineering, delivered the keynote speech.
His speech focused on an analytical review of global trends, the state of affairs in Ukraine and proposals for shaping state policy in this area.

💪Key points of the report:
- The global market for biologics is growing at an accelerating pace.
From 2020 to 2024, the global biopesticide market increased from USD 5.3 billion. USD to 7.52 billion. USD. Given the current dynamics, the market could reach USD 20.46 billion by 2035. This will account for more than 10% of the global crop protection market.
- The EU has already enshrined the greening of agriculture in its policies.
The Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies aim to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030 and promote organic farming. The regulatory framework of EU countries is constantly being harmonised with international agreements, which creates favourable conditions for the development of the biomethod.
- Ukraine is lagging behind in terms of biomethod implementation.
In 2024, biological protection was used on only 1.4 million hectares, or about 3.2% of the area under plant protection. For comparison, in 1995 this figure was 15.2%.
- The regulatory framework is fragmented and declarative.
The biological method is mentioned in a number of laws, but there is no separate law that would comprehensively define the legal, economic and organisational framework for the development of the biological method. Even in the new law "On State Regulation of Plant Protection" (effective from 17.01.2028), the biomethod is only declaratively defined.
- Ukrainian science has already created the foundation of the biologics market.
A number of NAAS institutions have developed microbial preparations, biological crop protection systems, technologies for the use of entomophages, fermentation complexes for the production of liquid microbial preparations, insect fungicides, biodestructors, etc. The Biotechnology Institute has created a conceptual model for the development of the biomethod and prepared proposals for the draft Law of Ukraine "On the Biological Method of Plant Protection".
According to Vladyslav YAROSHEVSKY, the main barrier today is not the lack of technology, but the lack of a clear state policy, tools to support biological manufacturers and agricultural producers switching to biological technologies, as well as the lack of a systematic approach to personnel training and economic incentives.

▶️Біометод as a condition for the sustainability of agricultural production

The discussion emphasised that biological plant protection is not a niche solution, but one of the key tools:

• Reducing the chemical load on soil and water;
• reducing risks to human and animal health;
• adaptation to climate change;
• Increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian products in markets where there is a growing demand for green standards.

In fact, we are talking about a shift from the extensive logic of "more chemicals - more crops" to an intensive greening model, where biological products and biotechnology become a basic element of technological maps.

🌾POSITION OF THE AGRARIAN BUSINESS: COMMENTARY BY ALLA STOYANOVA

An important element of the meeting was the practical assessment of the report by the agricultural community. Alla STOYANOVA spoke on behalf of the NGO "Agrarians of Odesa Region" and regional agribusiness.
In her commentary, she stressed that the development of biological technologies is no longer an option, but a condition for Ukraine's long-term competitiveness: "We live in an era of change, which by definition is not comfortable. But such times create strong people and strong decisions. The world is moving towards sustainable agriculture, and the question is not whether we will follow this path, but with what losses and at what cost. The world's population is approaching 8-10 billion, arable land is decreasing, and the demand for food is growing. Biostimulants, microorganisms, biochar, biofertilisers are no longer theoretical, but working tools that help maintain soil fertility, increase crop resistance to stress and reduce dependence on expensive chemical plant protection products.
Odesa agrarians are already working with biological solutions, we have organic areas, use trichogram, biological products, and involve science in practice. However, implementing European standards without appropriate economic mechanisms means shifting the main financial burden to the producer. According to estimates, adaptation to the new EU requirements could cost the agricultural sector about EUR 100 per hectare, or up to EUR 2.5 billion per year nationwide.
Therefore, the task of the agricultural business is not only to support the development of the biomethod, but also to ensure that financial instruments, subsidies, compensation and lending are an integral part of this policy. We are ready to interact with the relevant committees, provide expert opinions, support legislative initiatives and work on commercialising the NAAS's achievements."
Ms. Stoyanova also called the development of biosafety and biosecurity one of the key areas for Ukraine's integration into the European market: adaptation to EU standards opens up significant export opportunities, on the one hand, and requires a clear system of support from the state and international partners, on the other.

▶️Чому Does the decision of the Bureau of the Presidium of the NAAS matter to the market?

In the business dimension, such decisions are important for several reasons:
- Market signal. A political and scientific consensus is being formed: the biomethod is a priority for state agricultural policy.
- Focus of funding. Determining the direction at the level of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences is a prerequisite for redistributing scientific and budgetary resources, launching support programmes and grant instruments.
- Preparation of regulatory reform. The discussed draft Law "On the Biological Method of Plant Protection" and proposals to amend the State Register of Pesticides create the basis for the formation of a full-fledged market for biological products with transparent rules of the game.
- A bridge between science and business.
The existing developments of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences - from fermentation complexes to a line of microbial preparations - can become the basis for new business models, local production and export-oriented products.

▶️Рішення Bureau of the NAAS Presidium

After the discussion, the Bureau of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine adopted a decision:

1. The activity of the Engineering and Technology Institute "Biotechnology" of the NAAS and other scientific institutions of the Academy in the field of research in the field of biological plant protection was recognised as satisfactory.
2. The specialised departments of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (agriculture, land reclamation, mechanisation, crop production) are obliged to deepen research into the development of biomethods within their scientific specialisation.
3. The agreed position of the Academy creates the basis for further steps at the level of ministries, parliamentary committees, regional programmes and business associations.

🤝SUMMARY: BIOSECURITY AS A LONG-TERM VALUE STRATEGY

Given the economic, environmental and social significance of biological plant protection, its development is becoming not only a scientific task, but also part of the national sustainability strategy:
- environmental protection of agriculture;
- Reducing dependence on imported chemical plant protection products;
- increasing the added value of Ukrainian agricultural products;
- strengthening Ukraine's position in markets with high requirements for green products;
- protecting soil capital for future generations.
For the business community, this means that the area of biotechnology, biological products and biosecurity is already emerging as a growth area, where those who find a niche in time, invest in innovation and partnerships with science are the winners.