Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference 

October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota

Understanding the farmer adoption of biologicals

Agriculture relies on biological products such as microbial inoculants, biofertilizers, and biopesticides as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical inputs. Although there are studies supporting the use and potential benefits of biological products, adoption among the farmers in the world may be limited. This review highlights findings on the performance of biologicals under real-world field conditions and examines the factors that limit their adoption by farmers. Field research demonstrates that biological products can effectively manage pests and diseases and enhance the performance of traditional fertilizers in crop production. Despite their potential, the adoption of biological products in agriculture remains limited due to a range of challenges. These include regulatory hurdles, technical constraints such as product stability and storage requirements, high costs, slower or less predictable efficacy compared to chemical alternatives, and variable performance under field conditions. Addressing these barriers requires a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and contextual factors that shape adoption. Our research contributes to this effort by generating field-based evidence on the use of biological products and offering practical insights for farmers. Beyond assessing biological efficacy, we also examine the social, economic, and behavioral factors that influence farmers’ decision-making. By collaborating with university Extension services and key stakeholders, we aim to develop outreach strategies and actionable recommendations that facilitate the effective integration of biologicals into farming systems in the Dakotas.