What are natural pesticides?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on DW or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Farmers worldwide are increasingly adopting natural biopesticides as alternatives to chemical pesticides
• These biopesticides, derived from plants like the neem tree or employing beneficial fungi and bacteria, offer a sustainable way to combat pests while mitigating the adverse effects on ecosystems and human health

🔭 The context: The shift towards biopesticides comes amid growing resistance to chemical insecticides and concerns over their environmental and health impacts
• Natural pesticides, like those made from cow urine and leeks in Tamil Nadu, India, or microbial pesticides in Brazil, are proving effective in controlling pests and diseases without the harmful side effects of chemical counterparts

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Transitioning to biopesticides represents a critical move towards environmental sustainability, reducing pollution and preserving biodiversity
• These natural alternatives are less toxic, target specific pests, decompose quickly, and minimize collateral damage to non-target species, aligning with principles of biodynamic farming and ecological balance

⏭️ What's next: As biopesticide adoption grows, future challenges include adapting to climate change impacts on pest dynamics and scaling natural pest control solutions globally
• The trend towards natural pesticides, alongside conventional ones, suggests a paradigm shift in agricultural practices towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly methods

📈 One stat: Biopesticide sales in Brazil more than doubled from 4% of total pesticide sales in 2020 to 9% in 2022, indicating a significant shift towards sustainable pest control methods

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