How can agrobiologicals improve agricultural productivity in Eastern Africa? Join our webinar on 20 May to find out. Members of SIANI’s expert group Agrobiologicals in East Africa will share insights from their work and discuss ways to increase the use and production of agrobiological products.
Agrobiologicals—products derived from natural sources like microorganisms, plant extracts, and beneficial insects—offer sustainable solutions for enhancing plant growth, controlling pests, and improving soil health. Globally, the agrobiological market is expanding rapidly, with projections indicating a rise from USD 13 billion in 2023 to USD 45 billion by 2032.
The approach is attracting growing interest in Eastern Africa since it can help smallholder farmers, who produce approximately 80% of the region’s food, address challenges such as low productivity and limited access to affordable, sustainable agricultural inputs. While the prevalent use and misuse of imported chemical pesticides poses environmental and health risks, agrobiologicals present a generally less toxic and more environmentally friendly alternative.
Local production and increased use of agrobiologicals could reduce dependence on synthetic chemicals, enhance farm profitability, create employment opportunities, and open access to niche markets demanding pesticide-free produce. Despite their potential, the adoption of agrobiologicals in Eastern Africa remains limited due to factors like underdeveloped supply chains, restrictive regulations, lack of clear certification standards, and low awareness among farmers.
The SIANI Agrobiological Expert Group was launched in 2024 to analyse the situation and present solutions. In this webinar you will learn more about:
- How the expert group has worked to map and connect key stakeholders in the agrobiological sector.
- Dialogues in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania on how to promote use/production of agrobiologicals.
- Guiding materials that can be used for research, production, and application of agrobiologicals in the region.
- Two new projects, AgBio4SSA and inSALSA that will contribute to the agrobiologicals sector.
The webinar will also offer opportunities for questions and discussions to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration. Don’t miss this chance to connect with the agrobiologicals community in Africa and Europe!