ABC Grower: Biomineralization of weeds for soil improvement

Solar-Powered, Cost-Effective, and Ecologically Smart BioFertilizer for Thriving Crops and Sustainable Agriculture

ABC Grower is an innovative biotechnology developed as a cost-effective fertilizer solution. It utilizes positive microorganisms (EM) to extract essential nutrients from weeds efficiently. These nutrients are then concentrated and carefully formulated to cater to the specific needs of crops, particularly adapted to tropical soils. Powered by solar energy, ABC Grower significantly reduces organic fertilizer production time and costs, providing a sustainable and economically viable alternative for farmers in West Africa.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 8/9

Cost: $$$ 8 USD

Initial cost

ROI: $$$ 20 %

Benefit

1,500 USD

Production Kit purchase

40 %

Benefit for the kit purchase

15 Years

Lifespan

IP

Patent granted

Problem

Land Degradation and Reduced Agricultural Productivity:
- Adverse effects of climate change are accelerating land degradation.
- Significant reduction in agricultural productivity poses a threat to food security.
Poverty Among Farmers Using Chemical Inputs:
- Increased poverty among farmers relying on chemical inputs for agriculture.
- Elevated levels of heavy metals and organochlorine molecules in soils and surface waters, posing environmental risks.
Low Adoption of Compost in Organic Farming:
- Compost, a common organic fertilizer, faces low adoption in ecological and organic farming.
- Lengthy production time (60 to 90 days) and high water and labor requirements hinder widespread use.
- Logistical challenges, such as the need for 10 tons per hectare and high costs (about US$4,000), contribute to low adoption rates.

Solution

Cost Reduction in Fertilization: Significant reduction in fertilization costs, addressing the financial burden faced by farmers using traditional organic systems.
Improved Agronomic Efficiency: Enhanced agronomic efficiency achieved through precise formulation of biofertilizers, overcoming the limitations of conventional organic fertilization.
Solar Energy Utilization: Using solar energy to reduce the production duration of organic fertilizers from 60 days to just 14 days, reducing the arduousness of the production process.
Economic Valorization of Weeds: Economic valorization of weeds in fields, providing additional economic value to these plants for the benefit of farmers.

Key points to design your business plan

For Manufacturers:

Manufacturing ABC Grower technology offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient fertilization solution, bolstering food security, poverty reduction, and women's empowerment. It also positions manufacturers as pioneers in eco-friendly agricultural technologies, fostering revenue generation and environmental sustainability.

To excel in this market, efficient transportation methods and suitable storage facilities should be identified, especially since the raw material is sourced from Benin with a volume of 1.05m3.

To initiate production, acquiring the kit, available in various sizes at USD 1,500, and obtaining a license active in 17 countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, and Togo, is necessary.

The target customer base comprises wholesale fertilizer distributors, retailers, development projects, government agencies, and NGOs. Establishing robust partnerships with wholesale distributor networks is paramount for business success.

For Resellers:

The sale of ABC Grower technology not only offers a valuable product but also facilitates deeper engagement with users, thereby contributing to improved food security, poverty reduction, and women's empowerment.

To effectively navigate this market, it is essential to identify efficient transportation methods and assess suitable storage facilities, particularly as the technology is sourced from Benin.

The potential customer base includes small, local retailers, development projects, producers, and producer cooperatives or associations.

For Users:

ABC Grower provides users with a sustainable, cost-effective fertilization solution, enhancing agricultural productivity, food security, and potential incomes while fostering environmental sustainability.

As key partners, sellers of the product are required. Considering a cost structure of USD 8, it is necessary to estimate the profit derived from its use.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Moderately adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Much less water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Senegal	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–	–	–	–
Subhumid	–		–
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 13: climate action

Goal 5: gender equality

Cost Reduction in Fertilization: Significant reduction in fertilization costs, addressing the financial burden faced by farmers using traditional organic systems.
Improved Agronomic Efficiency: Enhanced agronomic efficiency achieved through precise formulation of biofertilizers, overcoming the limitations of conventional organic fertilization.
Solar Energy Utilization: Utilization of solar energy to expedite the production time of organic fertilizers from 60 days to just 14 days, reducing the arduousness of the production process.
Economic Valorization of Weeds: Economic valorization of weeds in fields, providing additional economic value to these plants for the benefit of farmers.