Brazilian agricultural biologicals company Agrivalle has announced a new partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks, a leading US-based biotechnology company specializing in cell programming and biosecurity. The collaboration aims to advance Agrivalle’s range of biological products, including next-generation fertilizers and biocontrol agents, through the use of Ginkgo’s advanced biology tools.
Ginkgo will utilize its Strain Optimization Services to improve the efficacy of Agrivalle’s biocontrol products. In future projects, Ginkgo intends to work with Agrivalle to discover and optimize plant-compatible microbes that can provide crop nutrition, as well as engineering organisms to specifically target certain pests. This partnership could help Agrivalle enhance the breadth and efficacy of its novel biological products and enable it to sell and license products to major players in agriculture worldwide.
The need for effective and sustainable alternatives to pest control products is increasing among growers. Brazil has experienced significant growth in biologicals due in part to supportive regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation in the development of biologicals for sustainable agriculture. The Brazilian government has also made it easier for startups to finance manufacturing plants and register biological products, leading the country to become the largest biologicals market for agriculture, growing over 30% annually.
“We are thrilled to partner with Agrivalle on getting groundbreaking biological products into the hands of growers,” said Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks. “Agrivalle is a vanguard of innovation in Brazil with proven R&D, manufacturing, and sales prowess, and we’re excited to help them optimize and advance their products as they seek to expand globally.”
“Choosing Ginkgo as a strategic partner will enable Agrivalle products to be at the forefront of agricultural excellence,” said André Kraide, CEO of Agrivalle. “Having access to Ginkgo’s demonstrated technical capabilities and expertise in biologicals R&D will help us take our products to the next level and support growers who seek superior bio-based technology.”
