What is the name of your organization?
BIO-CO2 Ltda.
What is the name of your solution?
Humi+
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Humi+ increases crop yields 30% and sequesters 1.8 Kg of CO₂ per kg, turning agriculture into a carbon sink.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Bio Bío
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Chile
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
The challenge we're addressing involves the significant environmental and economic impacts of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which accounted for 1.13 gigatonnes of CO₂-equivalent in 2018, representing a substantial 2.1% of global GHG emissions. Emissions from production and use, particularly in regions like Latin America, exacerbate soil degradation and contribute to climate change. Latin America's carbon intensity is nearly double the global average due to intensive fertilizer usage and climatic conditions that worsen soil N₂O emissions. This disrupts soil structure, reduces water retention, and damages microbial ecosystems, leading to long-term fertility issues and a vicious cycle of over-reliance on fertilizers.
Economic risks are equally pressing, as degraded soils require more fertilizers to maintain yields, creating a costly feedback loop that threatens food security. Between 2002 and 2016, fertilizer use in Latin America surged by 50%, straining agricultural sustainability. Addressing these issues, Humi+ offers a sustainable alternative that not only helps restore soil health but also significantly reduces emissions. It provides a pathway to breaking the dependency on synthetic fertilizers, enhancing crop resilience and productivity amid climate challenges, while supporting initiatives to cut emissions by up to 80% by 2050 through sustainable practices.
What is your solution?
Humi+ is a bioestimulant made from spirulina that offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers. It enriches soil health, increases crop yields by up to 30%, and has a net-negative impact on carbon emissions, sequestering 1.8 Kg of CO₂ per kg produced. Unlike chemical fertilizers, Humi+ enhances microbial activity in the soil, thus preventing nutrient leaching and reducing water contamination. It requires smaller application volumes and provides a quick turnaround time, making it economically viable for farmers. Humi+ transforms agricultural practices into carbon-positive activities while increasing food production. Our solution significantly contributes to climate goals and addresses the pressing issues of soil degradation and sustainability within agriculture.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Humi+ primarily serves smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural producers in Latin America, particularly in Chile and Colombia. These farmers face challenges like declining soil health, high operation costs from synthetic fertilizers, and vulnerability to climate change. By adopting Humi+, farmers can reduce operational costs over time, increase yields by up to 30%, and improve soil sustainability. This will allow them to achieve better economic stability and increase food security. Additionally, by reducing carbon emissions and enriching the soil, our solution contributes to broader environmental benefits that impact communities surrounding agricultural regions. Improved agricultural practices lead not only to economic benefits for farmers but also to healthier ecosystems, providing long-term resilience for agricultural communities.
