the growing demand for environmentally friendly pest control solutions has led to an increase in the global market for biocontrol agents. biocontrol agents are beneficial organisms that are naturally occurring or produced under controlled conditions and used to enhance environmental health. these agents include biologicals such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, and entomopathogenic fungi, as well as natural plant extracts and oils that are known to posses insecticidal or pesticidal properties. driven by the need to support sustainable agriculture, the market for biocontrol agents is expected to witness rapid growth over the forecast period from 2018 to 2032. the growing demand for organically grown food products has incentivized farmers across the globe to use biocontrol agents as an effectivealternative to petrochemical pesticides. such agents are not only low in toxicity but also show rapid efficacy when applied in practicing an integrated pest management (ipm) program. this has encouraged leading agricultural biotechnology companies to invest heavily in the development of technologically advanced biocontrol products. furthermore, government initiatives in the form of tax credits, subsidized loans, and training to farmers have also spurred uptake of these agents in crop protection. this, in turn, has positively impacted the global biocontrol agents market. the rising awareness among farmers regarding benefits of using biocontrol agents for reducing crop losses caused by pest infestation has further contributed to the growth of the market. in addition, the rising demand for processed foods has further propelled the demand for pest control solutions in the food processing industry. moreover, government mandates for the reduction in chemical pesticide use has also provided impetus to the industry. going forward, rising urbanization and increasing demand for food products derived from organic sources are expected to further drive the demand for biocontrol agents. this, in turn, is likely to create lucrative opportunities for biocontrol agents manufacturers. additionally, the emergence of advanced biocontrols such as biological insecticides and entomopathogenic nematodes is expected to aid the market growth over the forecast period. that said, the high cost associated with biocontrol methods will remain a major factor restraining market growth.
