Agriculture Industry Updates BRAZIL

Crop Protection in Brazil 2025: IPM, Bio‑Inputs & Pesticide Policy

Brazil is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, growing massive volumes of soy, corn, sugarcane, coffee, cotton, and other crops. With this scale comes significant crop protection challenges: pests, diseases, weeds, and increasing ecological pressure. In 2025, Brazil’s crop protection strategy is evolving rapidly — balancing heavy use of agrochemicals with more sustainable approaches like integrated pest management (IPM) and bio‑inputs.

1. Key Trends in Crop Protection

Growing Bio‑Inputs Market
- Brazil’s market for biological control products (“bioinputs”) is expanding strongly. The biopesticides sector is expected to reach ~US$ 280 million in 2025, with solid growth over the coming years. Mordor Intelligence
- The number of companies holding biological pesticide registrations has surged: from 8 in 2014 to 53 in 2024 — a 662% increase. agribrasilis.com
- The regulatory framework is also supporting this growth: low-impact product registrations (microbials, biochemicals, plant extracts) are increasing. AgroPages News
Policy Shift — PRONARA and Pesticide Reduction
- In 2025, Brazil launched PRONARA (under Decree No. 12,538/2025), aiming to progressively reduce pesticide use, especially highly hazardous ones, and promote bio‑inputs. AgroPages News
- The policy also emphasizes social participation, transparency, surveillance, and more responsible risk management. AgroPages News
- From December 2026, pesticide applicators must be trained and registered under a new national “Aplicador Legal” program. AgroPages News
Herbicide Use & Weed Resistance
- Herbicide use in Brazil has ballooned. Between 2010 and 2020, herbicide consumption grew 128%. embrapa.br
- A key concern is glyphosate resistance developing in weeds, which is pushing interest in bioherbicides and integrated weed control. embrapa.br
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Revival
- IPM has a long history in Brazil (especially for soybean), and research shows that it can dramatically reduce pesticide applications. mecenaspublishing.com+1
- However, despite its benefits, the use of traditional IPM declined in some regions, and insecticide use increased again. embrapa.br
- Renewed interest in IPM is being driven by cost pressures, resistance, and policy incentives.
Fungicide Shortages & Bio‑Alternatives
- There are current shortages (or expected tight supply) of certain foliar fungicides, such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil, particularly for soy, corn, and cotton. agribrasilis.com
- This is pushing more farmers to try biological alternatives for disease control. agribrasilis.com

2. Major Challenges for Crop Protection in Brazil

Heavy Reliance on Synthetic Pesticides: Brazil uses massive volumes of agrochemicals. Overuse can lead to resistance, environmental damage, and health issues. anpec.org.br
Toxicity & Health Risks: There are serious concerns about pesticide poisoning among farm workers. For example, the use of highly toxic actives remains controversial. The Guardian
Regulation & Enforcement: While PRONARA is a positive step, implementing its policies widely — training applicators, enforcing safe use, and monitoring — is a big challenge.
IPM Adoption: Though IPM works well in theory, widespread adoption is uneven. Some farmers revert to “spray as insurance.”
Resistance: Glyphosate resistance in weeds is growing. Also, pests and pathogens are evolving, pressuring existing chemical tools.
Economic Pressure: Farmers sometimes choose cheaper synthetic pesticides over bio‑inputs; transitioning requires training, cost support, and risk-sharing.

3. Strategic Opportunities & Solutions

Scale up Bio‑Inputs: Promote further registration, adoption, and R&D for biopesticides (microbial, botanical) to replace or supplement synthetic ones.
Implement IPM at Scale: Support programs (government + private) to train farmers in IPM, reinforce economic thresholds, and integrate natural enemies.
Precision and Digital Ag‑Tech: Use drones, sensors, decision‑support tools, and precision spraying to minimize chemical use and target actual pest pressure.
Enhance Monitoring and Forecasting: Improve systems to monitor pest outbreaks, weed resistance, and disease — aiding predictive and targeted interventions.
Policy & Regulatory Strengthening: Ensure PRONARA implementation, provide subsidies / credit for bio-input adoption, and require certification for applicators.
Public Awareness & Training: Educate farmers on the benefits of safer crop protection, IPM, and bio‑inputs. Build capacity through universities, cooperatives, and extension services.

4. Role of Key Institutions

MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock): Regulates inputs, oversees pesticide policy, and supports bio-input frameworks.
ANVISA: Works on the toxicological evaluation of pesticides.
Embrapa: Critical for research, especially in biological control and sustainable pest management.
CropLife Brasil: Represents the agrochemical and bio-input industry; pushes innovation and adoption of low-impact products.
Farmers & Cooperatives: On the ground, they must adopt and champion sustainable practices, IPM, and safer pest control.