The Common Microbial Biotechnology Platform (CMBP) network

crops in a field

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Promoting beneficial microorganisms and agroecology for improved soil health and sustainable farming systems in Asia-Pacific.

The CMBP network areas of focus

Soil biodiversity contributes to soil health and is often negatively affected by the interaction between poor land management practices and climate change ultimately compromising essential ecosystem functions and services (control of pests and pathogens, production of nutritious food, cleansing water and reducing air pollution). Soil organisms play key roles in nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, organic matter regulation, and provision of natural enemies of crop pests but can also cause disease and antagonize food production and quality. Agricultural intensification, globalization, land use management, crop monocultures and the wide distribution of crop germplasm with narrow genetic diversity, create negative selection pressures on soil biodiversity.

In South East Asia, a large majority of the population relies on agriculture. Farmers face severe challenges including decline in soil fertility and increased pests and diseases, leading to lower ecosystem productivity. In many countries, overdependence on chemical fertilizers continues to impact negatively on soil health and the wider ecosystem. Governments have made decisions to promote greener agriculture in order to improve farmers’ livelihood and to increase value of agricultural produce for the export/international market. Consequently, identifying and promoting effective alternatives to mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides has become a great challenge in the region.

About the CMBP network

Launched in February 2018, CMBP was originally a technical hub based in Hanoi, Vietnam, shared by 4 partners (CIRAD, CIAT-Asia, AGI and Deakin University). In January 2019, with more than 10 partners on board, it was evident that CMBP should be more than a technical hub, and a regional network across South East Asia and the Pacific region was created. To-date, the CMBP has welcomed more than 60 partners from 19 countries in the world, and we are proud to count universities, research institutes and private companies as active members of the network. Our mandate: « Promoting agro-ecological practices to enhance soil health » with a strong focus on microbial biotechnologies for sustainable agriculture in Asia-Pacific.

Through CMBP, we develop and promote the use of alternative agroecological practices, and of beneficial microorganisms in particular (biofertilizers and biopesticides) to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides in various ecosystems. CMBP’s network, scientists from universities, research institutes and private companies can interact and collaborate to promote agroecology in order to restore and sustain soil health and plant productivity at no cost for the environment.

The technical hub of CMBP (unique platform in the region) is located in Hanoi, Vietnam and develops innovative solutions addressing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of agricultural systems, customized to the needs of farmers and agricultural companies.

About the Network - CMBP - The Common Microbial Biotechnology Platform

We aim to offer resource-efficient and sustainable solutions to challenges – soil degradation, resource-intensiveness of agriculture, big environmental impact – facing Asian agriculture.

For any information about the Asia-Pacific CMBP network, visit

CMBP - The Common Microbial Biotechnology Platform