Field Notes From A Conference: Biopesticides, Big Ideas, and Bridging Perspectives
- Shujian Zhang
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
I recently returned from an inspiring trip to China. I had the privilege of attending a major biopesticide conference, where I delivered a presentation on behalf of GreenLight Biosciences and met with leaders across the ag-biotech landscape, including academic researchers, early-stage innovators, and executives at established firms.
What Brought Us Together
The 15th Conference on the Development and Application of Biopesticides has three main themes: Biological Formulations, Biological Behavior, and Biological Health. Amid the global shift toward greener and more sustainable agricultural solutions, the growth rate of the biopesticide and bio-agriculture sector is significantly outpacing that of conventional chemical agriculture. It was clear that China is rapidly advancing its biocontrol capabilities, investing not only in R&D but also in regulatory pathways and commercialization strategies tailored to its vast agricultural needs. Dr. Lin Wang, COO of MoonBiotech, emphasized that the coming decade will represent a golden era for the industrialization of the sector. Among the various segments, the biopesticide market stands out with exceptional performance and vast development potential. The market size for biopesticides in China is projected to exceed 33 billion RMB (approximately USD 4.5 billion) by 2027, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%.
Here are a few reflections and insights that stayed with me:
Speed and Scale: The pace of biological solutions innovation in China, especially in discovery, application development, and market testing, felt remarkably fast. While challenges persist in establishing clear regulatory frameworks for RNA products, there’s a clear drive to move quickly from the lab to the field.
RNA Pesticides in the Spotlight: Among the 30 presentations at the conference, four explicitly focused on the development of RNA pesticides, including aspects of discovery, innovative applications, and future trends. This growing interest underscores the increasing importance of RNA-based solutions in next-generation crop protection in China.
AI Integration in Modern Crop Protection: Artificial intelligence is being increasingly adopted across the agricultural value chain, from pest detection and prediction to active ingredient design and screening, significantly boosting success rates while reducing development time and costs. AI also plays a role in optimizing pesticide application, helping to minimize the development of resistance and enhance overall effectiveness.
Advances in Delivery Technologies: Novel delivery systems, such as those leveraging nanotechnology, are being developed to enhance the efficacy and stability of both biological and chemical products. These technologies are crucial for ensuring targeted, efficient delivery and sustained performance in the field.
Tech Stack Mentality: Several companies are exploring multiple modes of action biocontrol platforms, combining RNAi, microbial consortia, and natural products. The conversations about synergistic modes of action were among the most forward-thinking I’ve heard anywhere.
Global Curiosity: Despite its geographic focus, there was an openness to international collaboration, particularly in areas such as manufacturing bottlenecks, delivery efficiency, regulatory science, and harmonization of field trials.
Policy Push Meets Practical Constraints: China is making a strong policy push toward green agriculture, but I also heard candid discussions about the practical challenges—costs, delivery efficiency, and farmer adoption and confidence. This is a reminder that innovation doesn’t stop at invention.
Beyond the Conference Room
What made the trip especially memorable were the side conversations between conference sessions and informal moments where ideas sparked unexpectedly. I was reminded how robust face-to-face dialogue can be, especially across cultures and time zones.
Looking Ahead
I’m returning with fresh ideas, new connections, and a deeper appreciation for the global momentum in sustainable ag-tech. This trip reaffirmed for me that while science sometimes progresses in specialized silos, its real power emerges when we cross-pollinate between disciplines, countries, and perspectives.
Stay tuned: I’ll be unpacking specific insights from the trip in upcoming posts, including new perspectives on biological inputs manufacturing, delivery challenges, and what leadership in this rapidly evolving space might require next.
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