Report card from California: Lack of education around biologicals still problem #1 for the industry, says Dr. Pam Marrone

Abstract

Publication: AgFunderNews

At the Salinas Biological Summit 2024, Dr. Pam Marrone, Co-founder & Executive Chair of Invasive Species Corporation, provided a progress report on the biologicals industry, emphasizing the critical need for market differentiation and grower education. She warned that many startups fail to offer unique value and that investors often focus on technology over practical grower benefits.

Marrone highlighted industry challenges, including misconceptions about AI’s role in biologicals, the complexity of commercial development, and the overcrowding of technically easy but ineffective products. She stressed that biologicals must now demonstrate a minimum 10% yield increase to compete.

She also noted significant progress in peptides and RNAi-based solutions, which hold great promise for pest and pathogen control. However, lack of grower knowledge remains the biggest obstacle, with half of farmers still unaware of biologicals’ benefits. Marrone urged the industry to prioritize education and capital efficiency to drive broader adoption.