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

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

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 project

ABC Grower technology has a positive impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Gender, and Climate. It reduces fertilization costs, enhances food security, and empowers women. Through the utilization of solar energy and the promotion of sustainable practices, it mitigates climate change effects and reduces carbon emissions.

To integrate this technology into your project, the following activities and prerequisites should be considered:

Conduct awareness-raising sessions with farmers to highlight the benefits of adopting a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient fertilizer solution.
Ensure equitable access and provide financial support for local suppliers and smallholder farmers to encourage investments and purchases of fertilizer solutions.

Calculate the required quantity of product needed for your project based on an initial cost of USD 8 per unit. Account for delivery costs, import clearance, and duties if relevant, considering the technology is sourced in Benin.

Provide training and post-training support for project installation, with a team of trainers available for assistance. Develop communication support materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to promote the technology.

Consider collaboration with agricultural development institutes to facilitate the implementation of the technology in your country.

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

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

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	Tested	–Not adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Mali	Tested	Adopted
Niger	Tested	–Not adopted
Senegal	Tested	–Not adopted
Togo	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.