The latest UN data shows the world remains off track when it comes to eradicating hunger and food insecurity by 2030. At the same time, the world is also facing a soil health crisis, losing billions of tons of topsoil every year because of the growing pressure placed on natural resources.
But despite overlapping crises, a bold new vision is emerging—one that embraces solutions focused on improving soil health and accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture to sustainably feed a growing population.
At the core of this transformation is the increasing adoption of biologicals, or products and technologies that make use of living organisms for beneficial applications, many of which can partially or fully replace chemical inputs. These nature-based innovations are delivering proven economic, environmental and social benefits.
Building on the innovation of the “Green Revolution”, which transformed agricultural production to avert a famine in the 1960s, a “MicroGreen Revolution” is reshaping the future of farming thanks to advances in microbiology. This rapidly growing approach is fully aligned with the holistic “One Health” concept, which connects the well-being of soils, plants, animals and humans.
A soil microbial journey rooted in science: Brazil’s success story
In the past five years, Brazil has emerged as a global leader in the exponential adoption of bio-inputs, building on decades of scientific research, technological advances and progressive public policies. The country’s pioneering success with biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), which makes use of soil bacteria rather than fertilizer to deliver nitrogen to crops, began more than 70 years ago through systematic studies on the use of rhizobia for legume cultivation.
Legumes, unlike other crops, are able to interact with soil bacteria in a mutually beneficial exchange known as symbiosis, which provides the plant with nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growth.
Since soybean is not native to Brazil, early scientists had to import and adapt elite strains of the bacteria Bradyrhizobium to establish effective symbioses. This groundbreaking work not only replaced synthetic nitrogen fertilisers but also became one of the most successful examples of microbial technology in global agriculture.
Brazil’s position as the world’s leading soybean producer and exporter—with a key role in global food security—would not have been possible without BNF. The country imports around 85 per cent of its nitrogen fertilisers, incurring high economic and environmental costs. In the 2024/2025 growing season, BNF-based inoculants were used on 85% of the soybean area, equivalent to 40.5 million hectares, resulting in savings of US$27.6 billion in nitrogen fertilizer imports and avoiding the emission of 260 million tons of CO₂-equivalent.
Importantly, the benefits of bio-inputs extend beyond large-scale agriculture. In southern Brazil, more than 3,000 smallholders with farms under 50 hectares have adopted soybean co-inoculation, combining Bradyrhizobium with Azospirillum to achieve annual average economic gains of US$111 per hectare and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 350 kg CO₂-equivalent per hectare.
Brazil’s strategy for promoting bio-inputs is now reinforced by a robust policy framework that includes: the National Bio-inputs Program (2020), the National Fertilizer Plan (2022–2050) and the ABC+ Low-Carbon Agriculture Plan (2020–2030). These programs reflect a national commitment to leveraging bio-inputs as tools for food security, environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
The private sector has responded dynamically. The number of companies producing bio-inputs has more than doubled in the past five years, driven by advances in industrial fermentation, formulation and shelf-life optimisation. In 2024 alone, 206 million doses of inoculants were sold, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 20% over the past five years.
However, this rapid expansion underscores the importance of maintaining product quality. Rigorous scientific oversight, regulatory clarity and quality assurance are essential to preserving the credibility and benefits of the sector. Above all, continued investment in public research is vital to ensure that innovation remains science-based, effective and broadly accessible.
Beyond biological nitrogen fixation: expanding the power of microbes
While BNF remains the flagship of microbial innovation worldwide, a wide array of other microbial functions is now being harnessed to enhance plant nutrition, productivity and resilience. Key examples include:
- Phosphorus and potassium solubilisation: Microorganisms such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas mobilise nutrients from native rock reserves.
- Phytohormone production: Bacteria such as Azospirillum brasilense stimulate root development, improving water and nutrient uptake. In Brazilian field trials with maize, this has led to up to 70 per cent improvement in nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency.
- Stress resilience: Several microorganisms increase plant tolerance to drought, heat and salinity, offering promising tools for climate-smart agriculture.
Lessons for a microbial-based regenerative agriculture
Brazil’s experience offers a compelling and replicable model for tropical and subtropical countries seeking to leapfrog toward climate-resilient regenerative agriculture. The key success factors include:
- Science-based microbial strain selection tailored to local crops, soils and climatic conditions.
- Robust regulatory frameworks that ensure only certified, research-validated bio-inputs reach farmers.
- Public–private partnerships that enable large-scale production and adoption.
- Knowledge-sharing platforms that connect researchers, farmers, extension agents and policymakers.
In a world confronting climate instability, fertiliser price volatility and increasing pressure on natural ecosystems, the need for a new agricultural paradigm is urgent. Bio-inputs are not merely ecological alternatives—they are a strategic economic, environmental and geopolitical solution, paving the way toward a truly regenerative future.
Recognition of a lifelong commitment
A landmark in the international recognition of biological alternatives came in 2025, when Dr. Mariangela Hungria received the World Food Prize for her lifelong dedication to the research and development of microbial bio-inputs, particularly in advancing BNF technologies. Her award symbolises the growing global momentum toward science-driven, biologically based solutions for sustainable agriculture. Read more here.
