Crop care products based on sustainable materials
CategoriesSustainable News

Crop care products based on sustainable materials

Spotted: The European Commission is navigating a bumpy path as it attempts to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in the environment. A proposal on a sustainable use of pesticides regulation (SUR) suggests halving the amount of pesticides in use in the region by 2030 may be debated in early 2024. On the other hand, the revision of a broad chemicals strategy for sustainability appears to be indefinitely paused.  

In the meantime, Belgian agritech company Minagro is helping farmers reduce their chemical impact and navigate changing regulations by providing bio-based versions of essential crop care products. With a number of patents already in place, the company provides three different categories of crop inputs. In-can preservatives, adjuvants, and solvents are made from the natural raw ingredients sugarcane bagasse and essential oils.  

In-can preservatives help preserve aqueous-based products in their liquid form. Adjuvants help other chemicals work more effectively, and solvents make it easier to spread crop treatments by dissolving certain products. Agrochemical companies can replace standard products with Minagro’s bio-based versions and help farmers reduce the negative impact of their agricultural activity.  

The company provides distributors with technical support in formulating just the right mix of its inputs for desired results. All Minagro products are biodegradable, making them an important piece in growers’ transition towards reductions in groundwater pollution and soil damage. And most organic certification authorities allow for the use of Minagro’s biochemicals.  

From drone-powered pest control to carbon-neutral fertiliser that improves crop yields, Springwise’s database contains a diverse range of innovations seeking ways to change agriculture for the better while making it possible to feed the growing global population.

Written By: Keely Khoury

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Insurance payouts based on weather data protect farmers from drought
CategoriesSustainable News

Insurance payouts based on weather data protect farmers from drought

Spotted: Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate changes and extreme weather events, and as global warming heats the planet, this vulnerability will get worse. Seasonal climate variability already frequently undermines farm yields, reduces food availability, and lowers income. Small-scale agricultural producers, who often feed themselves from their farms as well as others, are especially affected by unpredictable rainfall. Oko was created to help farmers deal with this uncertainty.

The startup provides low-cost crop insurance for small farmers. Oko (which is the name of an African deity who protects harvests), uses the concept of index insurance. This uses data analysis and risk calculation, rather than onsite inspections, to create cheaper and more accessible insurance.

Farmers sign up and manage their insurance using their mobile phones. They pay around $20 (around €18.60) for one season’s coverage of approximately 1.7 hectares. Oko analyses the risk to each plot and the cost of insurance using historical and weather data.

The company uses real-time satellite data and rainfall monitoring to monitor for floods and check the amount of rainfall needed for a good harvest. If there is a flood or if rainfall drops below a certain amount, a payment to the farmers is triggered automatically. Because farmers only need to sign up once to receive future payouts automatically, it reduces the chances that these smallholder farmers will fall victim to fraud and fake insurance scams every time a drought hits.

Tackling climate change is partly about building resiliency, and insurance that is affordable and easy to use is one way to do this. Springwise has also spotted other innovations aimed at building climate resilience. These include improving the biodiversity of forests with fungus, and using modular greenhouses to protect farmers from the effects of extreme weather.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference