How can farmers retain water in the soil when rainfall only comes once in a while?
We at Ecofrica Innovation have the solution: a sustainable and circular nanohydrogel.
Soil water retention from rain is one of the biggest problems smallholder farmers face - from crop farming to vegetable production. Prolonged periods of drought put up to 90% of their harvest at risk. This is not just a huge economic factor, but also threatens their livelihoods and community food security.
Rainwater storage via tanks creates a very high upfront cost that has to be paid all at once in order to put the system in place. Plus, dispensing the water onto dried-out topsoil decreases the efficiency of use.
That’s where our nanohydrogel makes all the difference. We turn locally available agricultural waste - such as scraps and peels - into biodegradable, plant-based nanohydrogels that capture rainwater directly in the soil and release it when the soil dries out.
Farmers only buy as much nanohydrogel as they need per season and can apply it without any advanced equipment. We are currently producing the nanohydrogel in the UNIPOD food tech lab and can already confirm that, due to its circular nature, it can be distributed to farmers at a very affordable price.
We have tested our first batch of nanohydrogels in growth bags and now want to move into live field testing. Therefore, our next steps are creating visibility - website coming soon - and getting in contact with smallholder farmers in Africa.
If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch with us here on INSPIRED.
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