Eight Experts Address Africa’s Adoption of Integrated Management at AgriBusiness Global Virtual Event
8 July 2025 The AgriBusiness Global AFRICA Virtual Seminar recently explored integrated management in African countries with more than 400 growers and crop protection executives registered for the event sponsored by BANCELLA and supported by CropLife Africa Middle East, South African Bioproducts Organization (SABO), the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and media partner AgroLatam.
Eight experts took the virtual stage on 25 June to share knowledge and insights into this region’s development.
Starting off the seminar, Keynote Speaker Dr. Michael Southwood gave his presentation “Integrating Innovation: Advancing Crop Protection with Biological Solutions in Africa,” covering biological adoption rates, integrated management, and the drivers of growth.
Southwood, Owner of the Southern Cross Trust Consultancy Company, reported that government support in Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia were key drivers to biological adoption. He also addressed political and economic stability as being a factor in biological adoption, with the highest growth in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
For South Africa, Southwood says, “Data tells us that only 5% of South African farmers use biologicals extensively. But my experience with my commercial clients in South Africa is that percentage is closer to 25%.”
He noted that East African countries have an adoption around 10% to 20%.
Other discussions focused on new products entering the market in Africa. In the session “Next-Gen Solutions: How R&D is Driving the Future of Biological and Synthetic Crop Protection,” panelists Martin Montbarbon, Managing Director for Kenay BioLogica/Elephant Vert East Africa; Carlos Ledó Orriach, CEO and Founder of VEGANIC, and Vincent Gall, BU Head Africa Middle East for Certis Belchim, discussed case studies and strategies for creating innovative products for the region.
“The future will be hybrid products that can be mixed with not only with botanical extracts, but also with microbial formulations,” says Ledó Orriach. “This will be a key for the future of controlling pest and diseases, especially in Africa, where the resistance and intensity of pests is higher than other places in the world.”
Montbarbon and Gall gave their perspectives, which can be listened to here.
Another issue in the use of biologicals was discussed by James C. Sulecki, Lead and Founder of 40 Seasons Media LLC, based in the U.S., in his presentation “Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Educating Growers on Integrated Crop Management,” where Sulecki gave seven tips for how to create a virtual education system.
Sales of programs with biological and synthetic crop protection products together need to offer growers more specific education about how to use these products together successfully. Sulecki gave instructions for how to work with several departments of a crop protection company to make sure information is vetted, how to present it, and how to maintain it.
The concluding session, “Digging Deeper into Integrated Management” with panelists Yann Miege, Regional Manager (Eastern, MENA & WECA) for BANCELLA, Ltd.; Deidré Odendaal, Product Portfolio Manager for Biologicals & Semiochemicals for AECI Plant Health & SABO; and Niel Kruger, Executive Manager—Primary Business Channel for InteliGro Pty Ltd., discussed the challenges growers are facing in South Africa, Morocco and Kenya.
Miege discussed three drivers that were motivating growers in Morocco to adopt biologicals that were residue management, banned active ingredients, and lack of active ingredients available in the market due to banning in which biologicals provided an alternative solution.
Other panelists discussed the challenges growers faced in adoption of integrated management and popular practices. To hear the full discussion, recordings of the virtual seminar sessions can be accessed here.
If you’d like to attend other virtual events, the AgriBusiness Global ASIA Virtual Seminar will be on 22 October 2025.
For an in-person event, AgriBusiness Global will be hosting its’ annual event Trade Summit 5-6 August 2025 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Florid. Trade Summit is the premier event for global partnerships, innovation, and growth. Register before the advance registration deadline on 11 July using promo code VIRTUAL for $100 off registration and book your hotel before this date to receive the discounted rate.
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