Colombia President announces Amazon bioeconomy initiative

President Abelardo De La Espriella has announced a plan to promote regenerative bioeconomy in the Amazon region to generate income for local communities while ensuring forest conservation. The initiative aims to diversify the regional economy by sustainably utilizing Amazonian fruits and natural resources for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

To support this transition, the government intends to promote research, facilitate access to financing, and assist producers and entrepreneurs in reaching larger markets. The Amazonian Institute of Scientific Research (Sinchi) has identified over 70 species with commercial potential.

Separately, academic research highlights structural challenges facing Colombia's peasant, family, ethnic, and community agriculture (ACFEC). A study suggests that current regulatory frameworks for bioinputs are insufficient, noting that only 3.6% of surveyed biofactories held the necessary registration for commercial sale. Proposed policy solutions include harmonizing regulatory criteria and creating differentiated registration routes with preferential tariffs to support agroecological transitions.