Biofertilizers Gain Ground Through Innovation

Biofertilizers are gaining traction as governments, research institutions and agribusinesses seek to reduce dependence on chemical inputs, improve soil health and advance circular economy models. Recent developments in Europe and Latin America illustrate how bio-based fertilizers are being designed not only to improve crop productivity, but also to address environmental challenges such as waste management, nutrient recovery and soil degradation.

Phosphorus Recovery From Wastewater in Europe

In Europe, the ENDORSE project was launched to address a dual environmental and agricultural challenge: the sustainable management of wastewater and the recovery of phosphorus, a critical and non-renewable nutrient essential for food production. ENDORSE is an INTERREG SUDOE initiative that aims to design and implement a transnational strategy for recovering phosphorus salts from wastewater and valorizing them as fertilizers through more sustainable agricultural practices.

The project is coordinated by Cetaqua–Water Technology Center and involves seven entities from Spain, Portugal and France. Its total budget amounts to €1.74 million (US$2.02 million), co-financed at 75% by the European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG SUDOE program. The project will run for three years, from 2025 to 2028.

ENDORSE focuses on implementing cascade precipitation, an innovative technology that enables the recovery of different phosphorus salts from wastewater. These recovered salts are designed for efficient and sustainable agricultural use, allowing controlled nutrient release, improving crop nutrient uptake, preserving soil health and minimizing environmental impact.

Beyond pilot projects, ENDORSE seeks to provide participating regions with a clear roadmap for implementing phosphorus recovery action plans. By applying a circular economy approach, wastewater, traditionally considered a residue, is transformed into a valuable agricultural resource, reducing reliance on imported fertilizers from non-EU countries and limiting pollution of soils and aquatic ecosystems.

Compost-Based Pelletized Biofertilizer in Argentina

In Argentina, a research team from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet) developed Biopellet, a pelletized biofertilizer produced from local compost under a circular economy model.

Biopellet has been validated through field trials on crops such as tomatoes, vineyards, forage crops and vegetables. The product integrates organic matter, nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, improving soil structure, nutrient availability and crop productivity.

“With Biopellet, we aim to respond to a specific demand: improving soil fertility without relying on raw manure and by offering a more accessible alternative to chemical fertilizers,” said Luis Bueno, Researcher, INTA San Juan.

According to Emanuel Ontivero, Biologist and Researcher, Conicet and INTA, the pelletized format represents a key innovation. “The pelletized format transforms crop management: it is more practical for producers and ensures uniform distribution in the field. In addition, its format facilitates transportation, storage and application, offering advantages over other bio-inputs,” he said.

Biopellet is produced using agro-industrial residues from the Environmental Technology Park of San Juan. The project promotes circular economy principles and offers a low-cost alternative that facilitates access to regenerative agriculture practices. “Our goal is to transform a liability into a strategic input for production, generating local employment and strengthening producers’ competitiveness,” said Carlos Núñez, a representative of the project.

INTA estimates that the initial potential market for Biopellet in the Cuyo region covers more than 345,000ha with immediate adoption potential. The project’s next step is to move toward the development of a large-capacity production plant that would allow output to scale up and supply local producers, as well as regional and international markets.

Biofertilizer From Cactus Residues in Mexico

In Mexico, researchers from Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH) developed a biological fertilizer from agro-industrial cactus (nopal) residues, aiming to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.

The researchers explained that Hidalgo, particularly the Mezquital Valley, is a major cactus-producing region. As a result, they decided to take advantage of pruning residues and non-commercialized products to convert them into fertilizer, reducing waste while directly benefiting the same agricultural fields.

They highlighted that cactus residues contain more than 95% water, making them ideal for anaerobic digestion processes. In this process, part of the organic matter is transformed by microorganisms into a mixture of gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, with smaller amounts of other gases.

This method reduces water consumption, offering societal benefits by promoting alternatives that help protect this vital resource. The research team emphasized that strengthening the link between academia and the productive sector is essential not only for generating knowledge, but also for facilitating technology transfer. This has a direct impact on both local communities and the environment, as it improves agricultural productivity while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.

The team noted that one of the main challenges was the lack of available information on biofertilizers to support the project’s development. “Finding the right dosage was a demanding task. At one point, we lost two crops because we could not determine the appropriate measure. There was little information to rely on, but we were able to move forward and demonstrate that this biofertilizer is optimal for crops, thanks to its effectiveness and benefits,” said Santiago Cruz, one of the initiative’s leaders.

Advances in Mexican Legislation to Promote Biofertilizers

In November 2025, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to amend the Sustainable Rural Development Law, with the goal of promoting the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

The ruling issued by the Commission on Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Self-Sufficiency modifies Section IX of Art. 15 of the law to establish that the Special Concurrent Program must promote environmental protection in rural areas, the sustainability of socio-economic activities in the countryside and the provision of environmental services, as well as the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

Alonso de Jesús Vázquez, the congressman who sponsored the reform, emphasized that the challenge is not only to produce more, but to produce better, while protecting land, water and life. For this reason, the reform seeks to ensure that the Special Concurrent Program promotes R&D and the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

The objective, he added, is to advance sustainable agriculture by adopting techniques that, while not new, have been underutilized and insufficiently regulated, such as the use of beneficial microorganisms. He explained that biofertilizers are considered one of the most significant contributions of modern agriculture, as they represent a key technology for ensuring sustainable and productive farming. Meanwhile, biopesticides are less likely to generate pest resistance and can contribute to natural biological control by promoting or introducing natural enemies.

“With this reform, the Mexican state will have the legal tools to promote the use of these biotechnological inputs, train producers, and encourage national scientific research,” Vázquez said.