How has the fertilizer industry shifted over the past decade, and how does BiOWiSH contribute to this change?
Over the past decade, the fertilizer industry has seen a significant shift from traditional commodity fertilizers to increasing use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Ten years ago, companies were not typically offering fertilizer enhancements on their commodity fertilizers. By 2019, this began to change, and today, some larger facilities have multiple coating lines, with plans to continue to expand their capability to enhance their fertilizers with additives. This shift highlights the industry's move towards more sustainable practices by improving nutrient uptake, which reduces environmental contaminants like greenhouse gases from nutrient volatilization and leaching into groundwater. Simultaneously, these enhancements can increase food production on the same acreage without additional fertilizer inputs.
BiOWiSH is at the forefront of this innovation, pushing the boundaries of fertilizer technology with biological enhancements. Our technology helps improve sustainability and efficiency in farming, addressing the dual goals of environmental responsibility and increased agricultural productivity. The adoption of our products demonstrates a tangible industry shift towards more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
What challenges do you face in communicating the transition to sustainable farming practices to the public?
One of the main challenges in communicating the transition to sustainable farming is overcoming the perception that significant changes can happen overnight. Many aspects of farming, like other industries, cannot be instantly transformed. Our role at BiOWiSH involves educating consumers and stakeholders about the gradual and necessary steps involved in this transition.
The concept of transition is central to our work. We build on nearly a century of using base nutrient inputs in agriculture, which began with the Haber-Bosch process for applying nitrogen to fields. In recent years, we have developed ways to make these inputs more efficient, providing additive solutions to the well-established fertilizer industry. These enhancements help achieve better yields, improve farmer incomes, and enhance sustainability. However, the industry's conservative nature means that disruptive technologies, while interesting, are not immediately adoptable. BiOWiSH focuses on practical, realizable technologies that can drive the actual transition in farming practices today.
How does BiOWiSH's technology impact farmer practices and adoption rates?
BiOWiSH's technology offers a seamless integration into existing farming practices, requiring no changes for the farmer. This ease of use is crucial for adoption, as farmers prefer stable products that fit into their established logistics and practices. The proof of our technology's success is evident in our rapid market adoption. Despite only recently entering the market, we are approaching our 10 millionth acre treated with BiOWiSH products.
Our technology works across diverse farming conditions, from large, mechanized farms in the U.S. and Brazil to smallholder farms in Asia and Africa. This adaptability ensures that we can affect sustainability on a global scale.
Our products are proven to consistently improve yield, enhancing both economic and environmental outcomes for farmers. This widespread applicability and ease of use drive high adoption rates among farmers, demonstrating the real-world impact of our innovations.
How does BiOWiSH address the balance between organic farming and the need for economically viable food production?
While organic farming has its place, it represents a small market share and is often cost-prohibitive for many consumers. The broader global need is for safe, affordable food produced with fewer inputs. BiOWiSH focuses on producing more food with the same or less fertilizer on the same acreage, which can rapidly advance sustainable and safe food production more effectively than organic farming alone.
Our technology improves nutrient uptake optimizing the fertilizer efficiency, resulting in less environmental harm and higher crop yields. This approach provides a practical solution for feeding the growing global population while maintaining sustainability. The economic viability of our products ensures that farmers can adopt them without sacrificing profitability, making a significant impact on global food security and environmental health.
What strategies does BiOWiSH use to prove the effectiveness of its bio-enhanced fertilizers?
To demonstrate the effectiveness of our bio-enhanced fertilizers, BiOWiSH has conducted extensive independent third-party research trials globally. We completed over 200 trials with multiple BiOWiSH treatments and replicates at each location, showing an average yield uplift of 7.7% with an 86% win rate, meaning farmers saw an increase in yield 86% of the time. This consistency is crucial for gaining trust and widespread adoption in agriculture.
Additionally, we collaborate with large fertilizer companies to conduct real-world trials with farmers. These trials, covering thousands of acres, consistently confirm our research results, with an average yield uplift of 7.8% and an 87% win rate. This dual approach of rigorous scientific validation and real-world testing ensures that our products deliver reliable results, building trust among farmers and industry partners alike.
How did BiOWiSH overcome initial challenges in convincing fertilizer companies and farmers to adopt its technology?
Convincing fertilizer companies to adopt our technology was the first challenge. Fertilizer companies prioritize the economics and profitability of their products for farmers. We presented a robust data set and conducted thorough trials with these companies to prove our technology's effectiveness. This data-driven approach built trust and led to successful partnerships with major fertilizer suppliers.
Once we gained the support of fertilizer companies, convincing farmers became more manageable. The endorsement from trusted fertilizer suppliers and the demonstration of economic benefits through improved yields helped farmers see the value of our products. Our strategy involves encouraging farmers to start with a small portion of their acreage, allowing them to see the results firsthand before expanding adoption across their entire farms. This gradual approach ensures farmers feel confident in the technology, leading to long-term adoption and success.
How does BiOWiSH address greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sustainability in agriculture?
BiOWiSH's approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions involves two main strategies. First, by improving nutrient uptake and yield with the same amount of fertilizer, we lower the carbon intensity of food production. This means producing more food with the same or less fertilizer, reducing the overall environmental impact.
Second, we work on direct emission reductions. Trials with multiple USA universities and the China Agricultural University have shown a consistent response that averages a 28% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions with our products used in combination with the common, regional fertility program. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 273 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and it remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years, making this reduction highly significant. Once our multi-year studies are complete, we plan to leverage this data to influence policy and promote broader adoption of our sustainable practices.
How does BiOWiSH engage in policy advocacy to support sustainable agriculture?
BiOWiSH's policy advocacy is built on a foundation of solid data and proven results. We collaborate with industry partners to conduct large-scale trials and gather evidence of our technology's effectiveness. This data supports our lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and other regions, advocating for policies that recognize and promote sustainable farming practices.
We are working on expanding these efforts globally, including significant projects in Brazil and collaborations with institutions like the China Agricultural University. By demonstrating the real-world impact of our technology on sustainability and profitability, we aim to influence policy makers to adopt supportive regulations that drive the widespread use of bio-enhanced fertilizers.
How does BiOWiSH ensure the economic viability of its products for farmers?
Ensuring the economic viability of our products for farmers is central to BiOWiSH's mission. Our technology is designed to fit seamlessly into existing farming practices without additional application costs or changes for the farmer. This ease of adoption, combined with the proven yield improvements, makes our products economically attractive.
By helping farmers increase their yields and incomes while maintaining or reducing input costs, we provide a compelling value proposition. Our extensive trials and collaborations with fertilizer companies demonstrate that our products work in diverse farming conditions, further enhancing their appeal to farmers globally. This focus on economic viability ensures that our technology can scale effectively, driving both sustainability and profitability in agriculture.
