Teachers and students from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of UNLP validate traditional agricultural knowledge and produce bio-preparations from the first Biofactory enabled in Buenos Aires.
In this way, they strengthen the agroecological transition in the floral-vegetable belt of La Plata.
This initiative received the first authorization from the Provincial Biofactories Registry (ReBio), becoming a reference for the construction of a bioinputs production network in the face of the advance of agribusiness.
The first biofactory enabled in Buenos Aires
In February 2025, the School Biofactory of UNLP became the first to obtain provincial authorization for the production, distribution, and commercialization of bio-preparations.
The authorization was granted by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, based on Resolution 214/2023, which recognizes these substances as:
- Bio-stimulants and bio-rooters.
- Bio-fungicides and bio-insecticides.
- Biorepellents and bio-fertilizers.
The next objective is to support 30 biofactories in the formalization process, strengthening agroecological production in Greater La Plata.
An expanding agroecological network
Since 2011, the School Biofactory has been accompanying the transition of family farmers, reducing their dependence on dollarized inputs from large companies.
Currently, it supplies 300 productive units, including:
- Horticulture and floriculture in Greater La Plata.
- Vineyards in Berisso.
- Livestock in Magdalena and Punta Indio.
- Wheat producers in southeastern Buenos Aires.
Impact on flower producers
For producers, the use of bio-preparations has made a key difference in their crops.
The use of bio-preparations has allowed:
- Saving 40% on production costs.
- Improving quality and commercialization.
Among the most used are:
- Nettle manure (fertilizer and growth stimulant).
- Supermagro (broad-spectrum nutrient).
- Horsetail (fungicide and insecticide).
- Sulfocalcic (fungicide and acaricide).
Production and commercialization
The bio-preparations are distributed in jerry cans of up to five liters, with prices ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 pesos.
Each product is concentrated, with a dilution of 5% to 10% per liter of water, applicable by irrigation or spraying.
The team at the School Biofactory, consisting of three teachers and five students, produces between 200 and 400 liters per week, with a stock of up to six months.
Regulation and political challenges
In 2024, the national government repealed Resolution 1003/23 of Senasa, which regulated the commercialization of artisanal scale bio-preparations.
This regulation was key for family farmers to be able to scale up their production and free themselves from the inputs of agribusiness.
At the same time, Resolution 1004/23 remained in force, favoring the production of bioinputs by large companies such as Bayer, Syngenta, and Corteva.
Internationally, these companies have promoted greenwashing, offering a “green line” without changing their dependence on industrial inputs.
Agroecology from the university
UNLP promotes agroecology through:
- Agroecological fairs in faculties.
- La Justa, a local products distributor.
- The School Biofactory, as a space for validating peasant knowledge.
The public university demonstrates that agroecology is not only a productive alternative but also a scientific and technological response</strong in favor of food sovereignty.
Cover photo: UNLP Biofactory
*With information from Agencia Tierra Viva
