Discourse with Dr. Minshad Ansari, CEO and Originator of Bionema Ltd, as well as the Head of the World BioProtection Forum in our publication.
Hop on the Bionema Journey:
Check out our website: Ah, the juicy details! Tell us all about your background and your Company's backstory.
Minshad Ansari: A lifelong passion for agriculture and a burning desire to reduce chemical dependence led me to establish Bionema back in 2012. My frustration with the slow pace of chemical-free biological crop protection solutions and their commercialization drove me to create a company dedicated to delivering innovative biological pest control solutions. Today, Bionema is a top-tier global biopesticide developer and manufacturer catering to multiple sectors, not just horticulture, turf and amenity, landscaping, and forestry, but also public health. Headquartered at Swansea University, Wales, Bionema continues to be at the forefront of chemical-free pest management solutions.
Check out our website: What's your mission, Captain Ansari?
Minshad Ansari: My vision is a world where Bionema thrives as a world-leading innovator of biological formulations that deliver economically viable and efficacious solutions in agriculture. Beyond that, I’m aiming for a 'Green Revolution 2.0', a global shift towards organic farming, achieving food security without ravaging our planet with an overwhelming chemical load. The ultimate goal? A truly organic world, minimizing chemical use wherever possible, and making biological agriculture the go-to farming method globally.
Check out our website: What's Bionema's secret sauce?
Minshad Ansari: Our very essence is innovation. Our folks bristle with ideas for better products, formulations, and application techniques. We collaborate with research and commercial partners around the globe to create groundbreaking solutions and distribute them to end-users. One major breakthrough: the first microbial microencapsulation formulation technology for targeted delivery in agriculture, developed in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and other partners.
Check out our website: From rags to riches, what's your journey been like, Minshad?
Minshad Ansari: Growing up in India and witnessing the harmful effects of pesticides on my family's crops sparked a curiosity in me. I studied Agriculture and Related Sciences at Gorakhpur University, achieving my B.Sc. in 1990. My odyssey continued with an M.Sc. in Agriculture Nematology at AMU in 1993, India, and Ghent University in 1998, and eventually a Ph.D. in Applied Agricultural Sciences at Ghent University in 2000. In 2005, I migrated to Swansea University, Wales. The nurturing environment at Swansea University, with its focus on biocontrol innovation, was the catalyst for the establishment of Bionema in 2012.
During the next three years, the company launched and commercialized a wide range of nematode products with excellent results. Then, in 2018, Bionema secured a million-pound grant to develop and commercialise products like UniSpore®G – a cutting-edge fungal technology, and IncapsuleX™, a smart formulation delivery system that enhances foliar adhesion, persistence and improves efficacy.
In 2021, Syngenta Crop Protection acquired our NemaTrident® range and UniSpore®G, giving us the liberty to redirect our resources toward our prime mission – developing innovative biological formulations that deliver effective and profitable solutions in agriculture. Today, Bionema is diversifying its offerings to include biostimulants and biofertilizers.
Check out our website: Why did you create Bionema, Minshad?
Minshad Ansari: I envision a world where agriculture boasts no chemical dependence at all. Admittedly, that dream might not become a reality during my lifetime, but I firmly believe that a world free of chemicals in agriculture is possible. To make that a reality, I founded Bionema to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations, pushing our organic agriculture sector to the forefront.
Check out our website: What were some hefty challenges you overcame during your journey as a leader, Captain Ansari?
Minshad Ansari: Finding the ideal people to join my team has been an everlasting struggle. Top talent often gravitates towards large corporations, leaving smaller organizations like Bionema on the back foot. In the past, I made mistakes by hiring folks who weren't a good fit for our mission, but I’m proud to say that Bionema now boasts a powerful and loyal team that I trust implicitly and who share my vision for the future.
Check out our website: One word to describe you, Minshad?
Minshad Ansari: Determined! (Or maybe a bit stubborn – can't help but be strong-willed when you have a dream you cling to.)
Check out our website: Bionema, apart from your technical prowess, what makes you stand head and shoulders above the competition?
Minshad Ansari: Our secret sauce includes discovering, developing, and commercializing technology with widespread adaptability. And while most companies are in it for the money, our true mission aligns with helping the world change by reducing its reliance on chemicals. That means we welcome collaborations with third parties to brainstorm, innovate, and revolutionize the biological agriculture sector together.
Check out our website: Where do you see Bionema in the next two years, Minshad, and what's your gameplan to get there?
Minshad Ansari: We're in the process of expanding our global footprint through the establishment of multiple subsidiaries in North America and Asia. In the next two years, we aim to achieve the completion of our consolidation and reach end-users in various corners of the world. By constantly innovating, adapting, and harnessing cutting-edge technology, we'll make a difference in the way the world farms.
Check out our website: What's in it for the clients in this competitive market?
Minshad Ansari: Bionema's clients can expect exceptional support from our team of experts and expertise in product development and commercialization. Beyond that, our patented technologies can help in the discovery and formulation of biological products with easier distribution, higher virulence and efficacy, reduced the number of required treatments, and increased persistence for improved pest management. Our collaborative approach and commitment to customer success are key to unlocking the potential of these technologies.
Check out our website: Any parting words, Minshad?
Minshad Ansari: Between 2022 and 2028, the global market for agricultural biologicals is projected to swell from $12.4B to $28.3B, with a CAGR of 14.74%. This buoyant market trend will persist as governments, environmental organizations, and consumers clamor for cleaner, more sustainable agricultural practices. Bionema and other companies working in the organic agriculture space stand to reap the rewards of this pressing demand for change. By collaborating and working toward shared goals, we'll accelerate our industry's growth and herald the dawn of the 'Green Revolution 2.0'. Let's make it happen together!
Connect Minshad Ansari on Linkedin.
- Minshad Ansari's lifelong passion for agriculture led him to create Bionema, a global leader in biopesticide development and manufacturing.
- Bionema's mission is to lead a 'Green Revolution 2.0', promoting organic farming for food security without damaging the environment.
- To achieve this, Bionema bristles with ideas for innovative biological formulations and collaborates with research partners around the world.
- Bionema's focus on reducing chemical use makes it stand out in the competitive market, offering clients exceptional support, patented technologies, and sustainable solutions.
