No new molecules: the risks of a lack of innovation in the field

Modern agriculture is one of the sectors most dependent on scientific innovation. Each new technology developed represents years of research, millions in investment, and, above all, a concrete response to the challenges faced in the field — emergence of new pests (or outbreaks of current ones), pest resistance, climate change, loss of productivity, degraded soils, and many others. The answer is clear — and worrying: without innovation, control becomes less effective, costs increase, and the environmental impact grows. In recent decades, research for the development of new agricultural pesticides has evolved significantly. The new chemical molecules are more selective, efficient, and safe, and the advancement in the portfolio of bioinputs further reinforces the path towards sustainable agriculture. However, the pace of approval and availability of new technologies remains slow — and this puts the producer's access to essential tools at risk and compromises good management ...