An Interview with Marc Béland and Nicolas Roy
For a decade, AGTIV® has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, helping farmers and seed treaters maximize their success through easy-to-use, results-driven solutions. As AGTIV® celebrates its 10th anniversary, the brand reflects on its journey of innovation and looks forward to shaping the next chapter in agriculture.
We sat down with Marc Béland, Senior Director and a key figure in AGTIV®’s founding and development, and Nicolas Roy, Commercial Director and emerging leader in the AGTIV® story, to discuss the brand’s evolution, its impact on the seed treatment market, and how its products are helping simplify operations while delivering measurable results.
Q: Marc, AGTIV® has been serving the agriculture industry for 10 years. What inspired the brand’s launch and its focus on microbial technologies?
Marc Béland: When AGTIV® was launched, we saw an opportunity to help farmers and seed treaters unlock more potential from their crops. We focused on microbial technologies like mycorrhizal inoculants and rhizobium because they were proven tools to improve root development, nutrient uptake, and ultimately yields.
From the beginning, our goal was to create solutions that were easy to use and delivered consistent results. For example, seed treatment products like AGTIV IGNITE® L provide seed treaters with a convenient way to enhance early plant vigor and root system development right at the start. It’s all about giving growers and seed treaters confidence that their seeds have the best possible foundation for success.
Q: Nicolas, as someone deeply involved in AGTIV®’s product development, what excites you most about the brand’s offerings for seed treaters?
Nicolas Roy: What excites me most is how practical and effective our products are for seed treaters. Take AGTIV ENRICH® for Soybean, for example—it’s a liquid inoculant that combines Bacillus and rhizobium to deliver dual benefits in one easy-to-apply solution. Seed treaters appreciate how straightforward it is to use, and growers love the results they see in their fields, including improved nodulation and better nutrient uptake.
We know seed treaters often work with different crops and equipment, so we’ve designed our products to be versatile and compatible with existing workflows. Whether it’s our on-seed solutions for liquid treatments, AGTIV® is all about making the process as seamless as possible.
Q: How has AGTIV® evolved to meet the needs of today’s seed treaters and growers?
Marc Béland: Over the past decade, we’ve listened closely to both growers and seed treaters to understand what they need. Simplicity and reliability are critical. They want products that work well with the equipment they already have and deliver consistent results. That’s why we’ve focused on creating user-friendly solutions, like our liquid inoculants, that integrate easily into their processes.
Nicolas Roy: Exactly. Seed treaters are looking for products that help them deliver value to their customers, the growers, without adding complexity to their operations. Our seed treatment line is designed to check all those boxes. For example, AGTIV IGNITE® L is effective across multiple crops and allows seed treaters to enhance seed performance at the very first step. It’s a small adjustment that can lead to big results in the field.
Q: What do you see as AGTIV®’s greatest achievement in its first 10 years?
Marc Béland: I’d say it’s how AGTIV® has earned the trust of growers. When we started, microbial technologies weren’t as broadly understood or accepted as they are today. By consistently delivering results—stronger root systems, better nutrient uptake, and higher yields—we’ve proven the value of our solutions. That trust is something we’ve worked hard to build, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.
Nicolas Roy: I’d add that one of our biggest achievements is how we’ve made microbial technology accessible. We’ve turned complex science into something practical and easy to use. That’s a big part of what makes AGTIV® special—it’s innovation you can rely on.
Q: Looking ahead to the future, what’s next for AGTIV®?
Marc Béland: The future for AGTIV® is all about growth. We’re continuing to invest in research and development to bring even more innovative solutions to market. That means more products that are easy to use, compatible with equipment, and deliver clear, measurable benefits.
Nicolas Roy: Absolutely. We’re also focused on expanding the reach of our seed treatment products. These products have already made a big impact, and we see huge potential to bring them to even more seed treaters across Canada and beyond. The next 10 years are going to be just as exciting as the first.
10 Years Strong, and Ready for the Future
As AGTIV® celebrates its 10th anniversary, it’s clear that its success is built on a foundation of innovation, trust, and practicality. For seed treaters, AGTIV® represents a reliable partner offering easy-to-use solutions that drive real results.
With leaders like Marc Béland and Nicolas Roy at the forefront, AGTIV® is poised to continue empowering seed treaters and growers with proven products that simplify processes and maximize seed performance.
To learn more about AGTIV®’s seed treatment solutions, visit AGTIV®’s website.
