“We worked with partners across eight countries, who provided valuable insights on risk communication and addressing pesticide residue concerns.” Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary of APAARIA comprehensive policy brief outlined the economic and environmental benefits of biopesticides, offering practical guidance for adoption. The project kick-started the alignment of national regulatory frameworks with ASEAN Guidelines on Biological Control Agents, paving the way to streamline biopesticide registration and trade harmonization.
For example, Bangladesh revised its biopesticide regulations with the support of expert consultations and workshops. This harmonized approach reduced trade barriers and encouraged sustainable pest control practices across the region.
Empowering farmers and industry innovation
Farmer engagement was central to the project’s success. Partnering with the Association for Sustainable Rural Development, the project shared critical MRL data with over 327 farmers, empowering them to adopt biopesticides confidently. Social media campaigns further amplified awareness, encouraging sustainable practices.
“The workshop highlighted how biopesticides effectively reduce residues, offering low-cost solutions without risking crop failure.”Anik Hidayah, Lab Technician at Indonesia’s Agricultural Environment Research Institute
The project also supported local biopesticide production by training participants in manufacturing techniques and business model development. This opened avenues for private-sector growth, providing affordable, eco-friendly pest control options for small-scale farmers.
Unexpected impacts and global knowledge exchange
Beyond its initial goals, the project spurred complementary initiatives, such as Sri Lanka’s collaboration with the US Commerce Department for a two-year project on pesticide risk assessment.
Cross-regional exchanges also shared lessons with biopesticide stakeholders in Africa and Latin America, expanding the project’s reach and fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing across continents.
To ensure sustainability, APAARI established an Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community, creating a platform for regulators, industry and other stakeholders to continue benefiting from the project’s network and advancing sustainable agriculture.
A model for sustainable agricultural progress
Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, South-South cooperation, and global learning, this project demonstrates how innovative solutions can address agricultural challenges. It offers a scalable model—empowering farmers, protecting ecosystems, and enabling safe, sustainable trade across regions.
INNOVATIONS & SCALING UP
Innovating with biopesticides at the end of the crop season has proven effective in reducing pesticide residues and enhancing market access—offering transformative potential for millions of small-scale farmers if scaled up.
This project was implemented by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) with partners.
Original article from Standards and Trade Development Facility