producers rely on their own research and do not use the outcome of academic
studies. On the other hand, the academic scientists don’t commercialize their isolated
robust biocontrol agents due to their unwillingness to act as entrepreneurs or due to
inability to afford the expenses of producing processes. Lack of market knowledge is
another obstacle for entering the bazaar. A tighter relationship between academic
researchers and producer sections is essential for faster developments in the selection, scale-up production, formulation and commercialization of microbial biocontrol agents.
When a competent biocontrol agent is selected, it should be mass produced on an
industrial scale. A number of microbial biocontrol agents can be produced in a
simple manner while the remaining require special knowledge and technologies
(Tormala 1995). Failure in the scale-up production of numerous products causes
their rejection (Stewart et al. 2010). In addition to difficulties in mass production, the
producers have to be concerned with contamination in their production units and
attenuation of pesticidal activity. The microbial BCAs are usually propagated on
commercially unselective media and contamination can easily occur if strong sanitation measures are not employed (Desai et al. 2002). Also, the producers should
continuously test the number of efficient propagules in the formulation to ensure that
the product keeps its specifications up to the end of asserted shelf life (Ravensberg
2011b).
To overcome these barriers, small entrepreneurs require facilities, material, proficiencies and capital that usually cannot be afforded in the developing countries.
However, the same situation exists for small businesses in developed countries
(Gelernter 2007; Koul 2011; Moosavi and Zare 2016). The required capital for
safety tests and registration processes of a biological-based product is appraised
from the US $0.5 to three million that should be invested during a 4–8 years period
(Evans 2004; Hokkanen 2007; Marrone 2009; Ehlers 2010; Ravensberg 2011c).
This sum of money cannot be easily supplied by small or medium businesses in Iran,
while the investment is not completely safe either. The active ingredient of the
product is a microorganism which can be reisolated. Therefore business enterprises
should protect their product by intellectual property rights which cost them another
$US 50,000–100,000 (Tormala 1995). Though patenting is supportive, its power is
debatable and can be challenged with genetic engineering (Ravensberg 2011c).
Commercialization of a product, in addition to biological control knowledge,
needs the familiarity with several disciplines like finance, trade, manufacture and
personnel management. In other words, a product could be successfully introduced
to the market only if a capable team works together. The team members should be
experts in research, manufacturing, registration, management and marketing
(Ravensberg 2011a).
The process of developing a new microbial pesticide needs many millions of
dollars during a 4–8 year period. It is estimated that another 5–8 years is needed till
the company reaches to a break-even point (CPL 2006). So, the venture is not a quick
profit making one which is deterrent to most investors. Foreign investment or joint
venture may be of help in providing the required investment (Karimi et al. 2019).
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M. R. Moosavi and V. Minassian
studies. On the other hand, the academic scientists don’t commercialize their isolated
robust biocontrol agents due to their unwillingness to act as entrepreneurs or due to
inability to afford the expenses of producing processes. Lack of market knowledge is
another obstacle for entering the bazaar. A tighter relationship between academic
researchers and producer sections is essential for faster developments in the selection, scale-up production, formulation and commercialization of microbial biocontrol agents.
When a competent biocontrol agent is selected, it should be mass produced on an
industrial scale. A number of microbial biocontrol agents can be produced in a
simple manner while the remaining require special knowledge and technologies
(Tormala 1995). Failure in the scale-up production of numerous products causes
their rejection (Stewart et al. 2010). In addition to difficulties in mass production, the
producers have to be concerned with contamination in their production units and
attenuation of pesticidal activity. The microbial BCAs are usually propagated on
commercially unselective media and contamination can easily occur if strong sanitation measures are not employed (Desai et al. 2002). Also, the producers should
continuously test the number of efficient propagules in the formulation to ensure that
the product keeps its specifications up to the end of asserted shelf life (Ravensberg
2011b).
To overcome these barriers, small entrepreneurs require facilities, material, proficiencies and capital that usually cannot be afforded in the developing countries.
However, the same situation exists for small businesses in developed countries
(Gelernter 2007; Koul 2011; Moosavi and Zare 2016). The required capital for
safety tests and registration processes of a biological-based product is appraised
from the US $0.5 to three million that should be invested during a 4–8 years period
(Evans 2004; Hokkanen 2007; Marrone 2009; Ehlers 2010; Ravensberg 2011c).
This sum of money cannot be easily supplied by small or medium businesses in Iran,
while the investment is not completely safe either. The active ingredient of the
product is a microorganism which can be reisolated. Therefore business enterprises
should protect their product by intellectual property rights which cost them another
$US 50,000–100,000 (Tormala 1995). Though patenting is supportive, its power is
debatable and can be challenged with genetic engineering (Ravensberg 2011c).
Commercialization of a product, in addition to biological control knowledge,
needs the familiarity with several disciplines like finance, trade, manufacture and
personnel management. In other words, a product could be successfully introduced
to the market only if a capable team works together. The team members should be
experts in research, manufacturing, registration, management and marketing
(Ravensberg 2011a).
The process of developing a new microbial pesticide needs many millions of
dollars during a 4–8 year period. It is estimated that another 5–8 years is needed till
the company reaches to a break-even point (CPL 2006). So, the venture is not a quick
profit making one which is deterrent to most investors. Foreign investment or joint
venture may be of help in providing the required investment (Karimi et al. 2019).
544
M. R. Moosavi and V. Minassian