The fast-growing world’s population requires an increment in global food production, especially with the estimated rise of over 30% of the population from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2050. This demand requires a 70% increment of food production over the same period.

Conversely, there is a food shortage which results in spiking malnutrition cases in one-seventh of the world’s population. One of the threatening causes is the 25-40% crop output loss to pests, weeds, and disease attacks.

Solvents are one of the major players in the pesticide formulation. Therefore, using pesticides can be one of the most effective ways in combatting pest problems. The role of solvents in pesticides is to transport chemicals, nutrients, and minerals essential to life.

However, using solvents is concerning not only during the usage, but also the source and synthesis of the solvents and the disposal of the waste. The most common solvents present in the formulas are flammable, contributing to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and can be toxic to users, farmers, and even crops. Industries should also consider the release of solvent waste into the environment by tank leaks, industrial waste, and air emissions. 

Using Green Solvent to Reduce the Harms

In recent years, the green chemistry movement has initiated the use of green solvent. Known to have milder effects on crops and humans, green solvent might just be the answer to sustainability problems. It is about time that a big shift toward sustainability in the agriculture industry is happening. Though considered slower than other chemical-reliant industries, notable progress has already begun.

Green solvents are obtained from renewable feedstock that does not remain in the environment for long. The solvent also has to be biodegradable, recyclable, non-carcinogenic, and non-corrosive. This can reduce harmful emissions to be “green”. There are several chemicals that can be classified into green solvent: water, liquid polymers, gas-expanded liquids, supercritical fluids, and biomass-derived solvents.

Over the years, the demand for green solvents has shown significant positive growth. The global market size for green solvents was valued at 1.80 billion USD in 2022 alone. It is projected to grow by an 8.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030.

As a maritime country, Indonesia has also started its shift toward eliminating harmful pesticides. The Ministry of Agriculture released Sustainable Farming Regulation in 2019 which bans the use of illegal and unregistered pesticides following cases of the distribution of illegal pesticides.

In 2022, Indonesian National Food Agency (NFA) did random sampling tests on traditional markets in Jakarta to test whether the pesticide residue level in fresh vegetables is within a safe limit. Results show that there was no trace of harmful feedstock. However, there is still a long way to go to reach national food security and agriculture sustainability.

A big leap toward sustainability is not only inevitable but also necessary. As an Industry player, we must leverage this opportunity to push the shift to secure a sustainable agriculture industry. Click here to find your solution.