El control biológico y bioinsumos en la bioeconomía de Colombia

The document examines the role of bio-inputs and biological control agents in Colombia's transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy. It highlights Colombia's early leadership in regulatory frameworks, the growth of a science-intensive industry comprising 238 registered companies, and the preference for these tools among exporters of high-value crops. However, it identifies significant barriers, including lengthy and costly registration processes (up to 5 years and $15,000), a lack of farmer education regarding the preventive nature of bio-inputs, the risks of unregulated artisanal production, and a reliance on imported cosmopolitan microorganisms over native biodiversity.

• Colombia established an early regulatory framework for bio-inputs in Latin America, with the Instituto Agropecuario Colombiano (ICA) publishing a resolution in 2004 that defined bio-input categories and established registration and efficacy trial protocols.
• The bio-input sector in Colombia consists of 238 registered producers or importers, with 70% focusing on biocontrol agents and 30% on biofertilizers. The primary customers are exporters of flowers, bananas, and avocados due to strict food safety and quality regulations in their destination markets.
• Significant administrative and financial barriers hinder the sector; registration with the ICA can take up to 5 years and cost between US$ 13,000 and US$ 15,000. Additionally, until 2022, there was no specific environmental licensing regulation for importing microorganisms or insects.
• The adoption of bio-inputs is challenged by the perception of traditional farmers who expect immediate results and view these products as more expensive, whereas bio-inputs are 'preventive technology' requiring a longer timeframe to show effects.
• There is a critical need to manage the 'artisanal and uncontrolled production' of bio-inputs sold without registration, as this can spread harmful microorganisms and damage the credibility of the sector.
• Research and development in Colombia have been limited, focusing primarily on soil diseases while neglecting leaves and fruits. Furthermore, the market relies heavily on imported 'cosmopolitan' biological controllers rather than utilizing Colombia's own biodiversity.

APA

Trujillo, M., & Yepes, Y. (2022). El control biológico y bioinsumos en la bioeconomía de Colombia. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fact-sheet-controladores-biologicos.pdf

Chicago

Trujillo, Mónica, and Yudi Yepes. El control biológico y bioinsumos en la bioeconomía de Colombia. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fact-sheet-controladores-biologicos.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Trujillo |first1=Mónica |last2=Yepes |first2=Yudi |title=El control biológico y bioinsumos en la bioeconomía de Colombia |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=February 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fact-sheet-controladores-biologicos.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trujillo2022control, author = {Trujillo, Mónica and Yepes, Yudi}, title = {{El control biológico y bioinsumos en la bioeconomía de Colombia}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fact-sheet-controladores-biologicos.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }