SeedCoP

Agriculture faces a complex and unique challenge in the context of climate change.

• First, agriculture is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on weather and climatic conditions. The sector is already experiencing negative impacts from higher temperatures, more variable rainfall, invasive pests, and more frequent extreme weather events, which will worsen as climate change accelerates. 
• At the same time, agriculture is itself a major source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Modern agricultural practices with an intensive approach especially the use of synthetic agrochemicals may further deteriorate fragile lands by accelerating the loss of organic matter, degradation of soil and environmental damage (e.g., deterioration of water and air quality, loss of biodiversity, and biomagnification) For e.g. The synthetic N fertiliser supply chain was responsible for estimated emissions of 1,250 million tonnes of CO2e in 2018, roughly 21.5% of the annual direct emissions from agriculture. The production and use of synthetic N fertiliser itself accounts for 2.4% of global emissions, making it one of the top climate polluting industrial chemicals.

Climate is the most crucial factor that significantly influences crop production and productivity, thereby threatening the sustainability of crop production systems and global food security. Frequent manifestations of extreme events of drought, heat waves and floods, high and low temperatures, and salinity are among the most common existing stresses in agriculture, directly or indirectly impacting crop production. This climate change scenario is a severe concern for developing countries like India, where 2/3rd of the arable land is rainfed.

Therefore, an integrated and sustainable way of crop production, through various technological interventions, could be one of the possible ways to meet the present and future agriculture potential (food security) in the context of climate change. 

Vital aspects of crop improvement through maintaining sustainability can be accomplished by modulating the metabolism of seed that would be achieved by seed priming. Seed priming is a method that involves exposing seeds to stimuli that induce biochemical changes, such as enzyme activation, growth-promoting substances and germination inhibitor, metabolism. This process can improve crop performance in fragile ecosystems that are vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses and help farmers overcome challenges like poor or failing germination. 

Bacteria, including plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) communicate with each other through quorum sensing (QS) molecules to act in unison and carry out various beneficial team events. N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) are one of the most extensively studied groups of QS molecules.

The role of AHL molecules is not limited to interactions between bacteria; they also mediate inter-kingdom interaction. Numerous model plants are known to respond to bacterial quorum sensing molecules with altered root growth and gene expression patterns and induce resistance to plant pathogens. These compounds may represent novel elicitors that could be applied as seed primers to enhance crop resistance to pathogens and abiotic stress and to improve yields.

AHLs wide use in agriculture is limited by its shelf life instability (<week ) and cost.

We have developed, through the process of Ring Opening polymerization, a copolymer wherein the signal AHL is integrated into the backbone of the base polymer. In this way we have addressed the problem of AHLs shelf life by increasing its stability (shelf life of >2 months). This patented (India and US, granted) copolymer is the ideal material for AHL priming of Seeds to ensure improved yield and better crop health.

When this AHL copolymer (SEEDCoP) coated with seed is introduced into the soil, all the expected outcomes from AHL priming such as disease resistance, altered root growth, faster germination etc. can be expected without worrying about the stability and loss of the active agent. Being a microbial signal SEEDCoP is will also stimulate the functional PGPRs in the rhizosphere further benefitting the crop and the soil.

With additional insights into its working, the AHL actives in the product can be further customized to suit particular crops species or enhancement of particular traits.

SEEDCoP through its active AHL can stimulate natural processes in plants to enhance nutrient uptake and efficiency, crop quality, and tolerance to abiotic stress, benefitting both plant yield and vigour. This ensures that crops have good baseline strength and health, making them less vulnerable to stress, pests, and other threats, including climate shocks. 

Although India is a global agricultural powerhouse, with 70% of rural households relying on it. (FAO).Raising productivity per unit of land will need to be the main engine of agricultural growth as virtually all cultivable land is farmed. To do so, a productive, competitive, diversified and sustainable agricultural sector will need to emerge at an accelerated pace

Seed priming with a proper elicitor can minimize the following: time for plant emergence, expense of re-seeding, additional irrigation and fertilization, weed management, and ineffectiveness of cultural practices used on a stand of non-uniform growth. They can help farmers adapt their agricultural systems to an increasingly volatile climate while enhancing food production sustainability, thereby contributing to a climate-smart farm model for the future, which is both resilient and flexible.

SEEDCoP can work to ensure enhanced resistance and yield in crop plants and has promising potential and prospect as one of the sustainable agriculture practices and a credible alternative for ecologically harmful chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. This would help in alleviating dreadful effects of climate change on global agriculture

FIB-SOL is an IIT Madras based Agritech company with the basic aim of revitalizing soil and aiding in sustainable agriculture through innovation. Our core team comprising of 3 IIT PhDs in varied departments such as microbiology, biochemistry and polymer chemistry.

FIB-SOL is marketing its current products, which is a gel based commercial biofertilizer inoculum Patented technology in districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. We have helped over 70000 plus farmers improve their yield by 20% and reduce their chemical inputs by over 25% in various regions of India across different crop segments.

FIB-SOL has implemented tractions with agriculture universities, agribiotech industries, farmers and corporate plantations, which will enable us to technically strengthen and validate the current product. The sales structure existing for the current product portfolio, will be harnessed to demonstrate the technology. The business tractions achieved for the development, scaling up and commercialization of our previous products, will also give an accelerated penetration of our current product to the market.

We have developed a working model of the copolymer as mentioned and checked for its activity and stability. 

We are yet to test the efficacy of the product on crops

Our goal in applying for the MIT SOLVE program is to achieve the following apart from the funding provided

1. Research Collaboration: MIT has world-class researchers and experts in various fields, including agriculture. we could collaborate with professors and researchers who have expertise relevant to our concept. They can provide valuable insights, feedback, and possibly even join us in developing the concept further.

2. Networking Opportunities: MIT has a vast network of alumni, industry partners, investors, and entrepreneurs. Engaging with this network can help us connect with potential collaborators, investors, and customers who can support your agricultural concept.

3. Business Plan Development: MIT mentors can assist us in refining our business plan, identifying key value propositions, understanding our target market, and devising strategies for sustainable growth. 
   

AHLs,inspite of being promising,wide use in agriculture is limited by its shelf life instability (<week ) and cost.Ring Opening polymerization technology used in SEEDCoP integrates the AHL into the polymer backbone increasing its stability (shelf life of >2 months).This patented (India and US, granted) copolymer is the ideal material for AHL priming of Seeds to ensure improved yield and better crop health.

The global seed treatment market is expected to grow at an 8.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from $6.1 billion in 2022 to $9.2 billion by 2027.The Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing, while North America has the largest share at 39%.With a stabilized novel elicitor such as AHL the product can revolutinize the market 

The LogFrame for the proposed project is given below

Objective: To enhance crop improvement through sustainable methods by utilizing SEEDCoP, a patented copolymer integrated with AHL signal molecules, to prime seeds.

Inputs:

1. Research and development expertise
2. SEEDCoP copolymer production facilities
3. AHL signal molecules
4. Seeds of target crop species
5. Testing facilities for efficacy evaluation
6. Agricultural experts and advisors

Activities:

1. Research and development of SEEDCoP copolymer integration process
2. Production of SEEDCoP copolymer at scale
3. Testing of SEEDCoP-coated seeds in pot and field conditions
4. Collaboration with agricultural partners for field trials and feedback
5. Development of customized AHL formulations for specific crops or traits
6. Outreach and training for farmers on SEEDCoP application and benefits

Outputs:

1. SEEDCoP copolymer with integrated AHL signal molecules 
2. Coated seeds ready for distribution
3. Field trial data on crop performance with SEEDCoP primed seeds
4. Customized AHL formulations for different crops or traits
5. Farmer training materials and workshops

Outcomes:

1. Increased crop yield and resilience 
2. Reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides
3. Improved soil health and ecosystem resilience through promotion of beneficial microbial activity
4. Enhanced farmer livelihoods through improved crop performance and reduced input costs
5. Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices contributing to climate-smart farming models

Impact:

1. Long-term sustainability of agricultural practices through reduced environmental impact
2. Improved food security and resilience to climate change effects
3. Economic benefits for farmers and agricultural communities
4. Contribution to global efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change on agriculture

Assumptions:

1. Efficacy of SEEDCoP in improving crop performance demonstrated in field trials
2. Adoption of SEEDCoP by farmers and agricultural stakeholders
3. Supportive regulatory environment for sustainable agricultural practices

Impact Goal: To foster sustainable agricultural practices and enhance global food security by significantly improving crop resilience, yield, and sustainability through the widespread adoption of SEEDCoP technology, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and reducing reliance on ecologically harmful chemicals.

Measuring progress against the impact goal would involve tracking various indicators at different stages of the project. Here are some key metrics that could be used:

1. Adoption Rate of SEEDCoP Technology: Monitor the percentage of farmers or agricultural organizations adopting SEEDCoP technology compared to the total target population.

2. Crop Yield Increase: Measure the average increase in crop yield achieved by farmers using SEEDCoP-coated seeds compared to conventional methods or alternative treatments.

3. Reduction in Chemical Inputs: Quantify the reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by farmers adopting SEEDCoP technology, either in terms of volume or cost.

4. Soil Health Improvement: Assess changes in soil health indicators such as organic matter content, soil pH, and microbial activity in fields where SEEDCoP is used compared to control or baseline conditions.

5. Climate Resilience of Crops: Evaluate the resilience of crops primed with SEEDCoP to climate-related stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, or pest infestations, through field observations and yield data under varying environmental conditions.

6. Economic Impact on Farmers: Track the economic benefits experienced by farmers, including changes in income, profitability, and input costs associated with SEEDCoP adoption.

7. Environmental Impact: Assess the environmental impact of SEEDCoP adoption, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and soil degradation associated with chemical inputs.

8. Policy and Regulatory Support: Monitor the development and implementation of policies or regulations supporting sustainable agricultural practices and innovation in crop improvement technologies like SEEDCoP.

9. Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building: Measure the dissemination of knowledge and capacity building activities related to SEEDCoP technology through farmer training sessions, workshops, and educational materials.

10. Long-Term Sustainability: Evaluate the long-term sustainability and scalability of SEEDCoP adoption by assessing its continued effectiveness, acceptance by stakeholders, and integration into broader agricultural systems.

By regularly tracking these indicators, we can assess progress towards the impact goal of SEEDCoP technology. Adjustments to project strategies and interventions can be made based on the findings to optimize impact and achieve desired outcomes.

AHL are important natural bacterial signals that communicate microbes to carry out specific group tasks.These signals are also know to interact with plants in which they induce activities such as disease resistance, root growth etc.

When exogenously added these signals have been shown to aid in the stimulation of the same task in a form of biomimicking the natural signalling process.

Under natural soil conditions AHL have a very short hal-life affecting any potential of using it as a robust product. This is where we have stabilized the AHL by using the process of Ring opening polymerization integrating the signal into the polymer backbone 

-The ROP of AHLs can be controlled by adjusting reaction conditions such as temperature, solvent, catalysts, and monomer concentration. Additionally, the choice of initiator and monomer structure can influence the kinetics and selectivity of the polymerization procedure

With furthering of the knowledge, The resulting AHL-based polymers can thus be characterized to suit various specific needs and traits of various crops.

There are numerous research citations advocating the postive effects of AHL on Plants upon seed priming a few notable ones are referenced below.

The two major factors preventing the wide scale use of AHLs could be 

1.Short Half life 

2. loss of AHL from area of action 

both of which can be addressed by SEEDCoP

References

1. Shrestha, A., & Schikora, A. (2020). AHL-priming for enhanced resistance as a tool in sustainable agriculture. FEMS microbiology ecology, 96(12), fiaa226.

2.Babenko, L. M., Romanenko, К. О., Iungin, O. S., & Kosakovska, I. V. (2021). Acyl-homoserine lactones for crop production and stress tolerance of agricultural plants. Sel'skokhozyaistvennaya Biologiya [Agricultural Biology], 56(1), 3-19.

3.Schenk, S. T., & Schikora, A. (2015). AHL-priming functions via oxylipin and salicylic acid. Frontiers in Plant Science, 5, 122414.

4.Moshynets, O. V., Babenko, L. M., Rogalsky, S. P., Iungin, O. S., Foster, J., Kosakivska, I. V., ... & Spiers, A. J. (2019). Priming winter wheat seeds with the bacterial quorum sensing signal N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) shows potential to improve plant growth and seed yield. PLoS One, 14(2), e0209460.

Our Solution team consists of 14 members all of whom are full-time staff.Of these, 3 people who are all PhDs from IIT Madras make-up the core ideation team.

We have worked on the ideation and initial proof of concepts since 2016.Post patententing of the idea we are awaiting the right partners to take the technology forward

• Diversity: FIB-SOL has built a leadership team with cultural diversity. The team includes people from various regions of the country, speaking different languages. The cultural diversity is vast. The team has people speaking 3 different languages and hail from the hottest to the coldest regions of the country. The cultural and climatic differences helps us understand the nation better and also paves way for better solutions to nation wide issues. With the diversity in their language and culture, the team participates in event across different the globe. We attend events in the Western as well as in the Eastern part of the Globe. Our clients are also from varied geographic and cultural backgrounds. The technical diversity of the team helps us to be versatile, when we devise solutions to problems in Agriculture. The team also has business professionals, which helps us validate our business and revenue models. The diversity is so vast, that we host people from Engineering to hard core biology, to tech entrepreneurs.
• Inclusion: We are inclusive in that, we have team members from different socioeconomic status and different strata of the society. We have given equal decision making rights to all members of the team. Our organization has included people having different religious belief and we celebrate all festivals with equal zeal. The organization has been very balanced in having 50% o women employees. The employees are taken complete care, as to ensure their mental and physical well being. The organization is led by a women entrepreneur, who owns more than 50% shares in the promoters share.
• Apart from the team, we have been working with Women self help groups, to enable them on sustainable livelihoods. Skill development training's on preparation of concoction for enabling decomposition is imparted to marginal women farmers. The farmers can then use the technology to compost post harvest waste. This can be applied on their own fields or can be sold to other farmers. In either ways this helps them improve their household income. We have also included women employees from all strata of the organization in decision making processes. We also fund women employees for the education of their kids. We also allocate funds to women and lower economic groups to be used in case of emergencies.
• Equality: The company policies are made in such a way that it supports and benefits all the employees of the organization without disparity. Women employees are given sick leave on the first day of their menstruation. All religious festivities are treated in par and celebrated with due respect. All employees have equal benefits in terms of emergency funds or insurance policies. 

FIB-SOL is a deep tech organization, using IP based products to offer scientific solution to problems in Agriculture. The key resources involve a scientific team with deep knowledge in basic sciences. Funds to develop the IP or license technologies from other R&D institutes. FIB-SOL has a team of scientist, who are versatile in building platform technologies. The team needs more enablers of technology to product conversion. The funds for the activity is mostly sourced through Government or CSR funding. Equity based funding with acceptance of long gestational periods is a reasonable financial source that could help.

The product at FIB-SOL is a light weight polymer based, biological input, which can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve yields. The product promotes eco-friendly way of farming.

The product is 1000 times less bulky than commercial fertilizers and is water soluble. This enables decrease in Carbon foot print and paves way for carbon credits. The product depicts 25-30% yield improvement and also improves the soil quality.

The farmers are the end consumers of the product. There is a huge demand for biological s to supplement chemical fertilizers and the need is addressed by FIB-SOL.

FIB-SOL is marketing its current products, which is a gel based commercial bio fertilizer inoculum (Patented technology) in certain states of India and also in Italy, Kenya and Malaysia. We mostly focus on B2B segments, which farmer producing companies and big corporate.  We also conduct market outreach programs through foundations, including Syngenta and Walmart. The program is to enable farmers to understand the concept of the technology and also understand its benefits.

The B2C segment comprises FPO's, Farmer producing aggregators and farmers. We have signed up partnerships in order to reach the consumers. In the last two financial year, FIB-SOL has a market reach of over 2 lac acres and has made sales to around 70000 acres both within the country and outside the country.

Financial resources will be deployed to procure and develop more IP, increase the manufacturing and marketing scale. We plan to reach to 8 Lac acres in the next two years.

We have successfully commercialized our first technology-based product and have a market outreach of 2 Lac acres in the last two years with a sale of 70000 acres, amounting to 0.6 Mn USD. In the next 2 years, we are planning to scale our revenues to 12 Mn USD with a reach of 8 Lac acres across the globe, using the various channels described.

The product portfolio will also be increased to address the market demands and to achieve our targets. R&D services will be part of the revenue stream to assist in development of new ideas and to acquire new skills. The funding for R&D will be through contract research service and from government grants and also CSR funds. The funds for increasing the scale, will be raised through government loans and non-banking finance sectors. We envisage to break even and self-sustain with a timeline of 3 years.