Grower education is an influential and important undertaking which deserves
more consideration. Executing the IPM/FFS program in more extensive areas with
more experimental farms can be of help. Simultaneous education of consumers
about microbial biopesticides is equally important. Both growers and society should
be instructed about the key role that microbial pesticides can play in sustainable
agriculture.
The active companies in this venture especially those newly engaged should also
be instructed about the procedures that a product must pass to be commercialized.
Science and technology parks can satisfactorily accomplish this task. Science and
technology parks have been now established in most provinces of Iran and are ready
to provide required services to applicant knowledge-base companies. These services
include technical, accounting, market and legal consultation. Installing efficient
networks to obtain assistance from international agricultural institutes is another
possible service rendered by the science and technology parks which improve the
prospects for continued acceptance of microbial pesticides.
The process that needs the most help is formulation. Many efficient microorganisms for controlling pests have been identified in Iran that can be commercialized if
they are suitably and stably formulated. In other words, we need to adopt the
knowledge which helps us to commercialize the isolated indigenous biocontrol
agents. Genetic engineering is another strategy that can be used to enhance virulence
and efficiency of microorganisms or to tailor their host range as desired (Narayanan
2001; Kumari et al. 2014; Moshi and Matoju 2017).
However microbial pesticides will be confronted with the last obstacle, the grower
acceptance, when finally marketed. Therefore the focus and emphasis should be on
the extensive pilot testing to represent the potential of these kinds of pesticides. The
microbial pesticide producer should manufacture a well-formulated product that can
be easily used with conventional farm machinery, and government authorities enact
policies which facilitate their use.
The introduction of relatively harmless and efficient chemical pesticides will be a
serious challenge for microbial pesticides in the future. Therefore the microbial
products can successfully be accepted by the growers only if they can emulate the
agrochemicals. The long term prospects for microbial pesticides seem very brilliant
despite slow adoption by growers. The pressure of NGOs as well as public awareness will surely direct the path toward the use of safer products.
Acknowledgement The authors thank “Knowledge-base Plant Protection Clinic” (Shiraz-Iran) for
its help in collecting information on microbial biopesticides available in the market of Iran. We also
thank Dr. Anahita Yazdanpak from “Fars Environment and Food Safety Office” for sharing her
information about “Practical Instruction for Producing Certified and Standard Products”.
546
M. R. Moosavi and V. Minassian
more consideration. Executing the IPM/FFS program in more extensive areas with
more experimental farms can be of help. Simultaneous education of consumers
about microbial biopesticides is equally important. Both growers and society should
be instructed about the key role that microbial pesticides can play in sustainable
agriculture.
The active companies in this venture especially those newly engaged should also
be instructed about the procedures that a product must pass to be commercialized.
Science and technology parks can satisfactorily accomplish this task. Science and
technology parks have been now established in most provinces of Iran and are ready
to provide required services to applicant knowledge-base companies. These services
include technical, accounting, market and legal consultation. Installing efficient
networks to obtain assistance from international agricultural institutes is another
possible service rendered by the science and technology parks which improve the
prospects for continued acceptance of microbial pesticides.
The process that needs the most help is formulation. Many efficient microorganisms for controlling pests have been identified in Iran that can be commercialized if
they are suitably and stably formulated. In other words, we need to adopt the
knowledge which helps us to commercialize the isolated indigenous biocontrol
agents. Genetic engineering is another strategy that can be used to enhance virulence
and efficiency of microorganisms or to tailor their host range as desired (Narayanan
2001; Kumari et al. 2014; Moshi and Matoju 2017).
However microbial pesticides will be confronted with the last obstacle, the grower
acceptance, when finally marketed. Therefore the focus and emphasis should be on
the extensive pilot testing to represent the potential of these kinds of pesticides. The
microbial pesticide producer should manufacture a well-formulated product that can
be easily used with conventional farm machinery, and government authorities enact
policies which facilitate their use.
The introduction of relatively harmless and efficient chemical pesticides will be a
serious challenge for microbial pesticides in the future. Therefore the microbial
products can successfully be accepted by the growers only if they can emulate the
agrochemicals. The long term prospects for microbial pesticides seem very brilliant
despite slow adoption by growers. The pressure of NGOs as well as public awareness will surely direct the path toward the use of safer products.
Acknowledgement The authors thank “Knowledge-base Plant Protection Clinic” (Shiraz-Iran) for
its help in collecting information on microbial biopesticides available in the market of Iran. We also
thank Dr. Anahita Yazdanpak from “Fars Environment and Food Safety Office” for sharing her
information about “Practical Instruction for Producing Certified and Standard Products”.
546
M. R. Moosavi and V. Minassian