Use case
Decades of industrial farming have taken a heavy toll on the environment. Synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides contaminate water, soil, and human health. These conventional industrial farming practices are mainly done to increase crop yield. However, plant growth is also limited by the inefficient photosynthesis process. If we are able to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, then it will be possible to promote more efficient farming. Efficient farming is not just a matter of production, but it is also about environmental sustainability. By increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis, we can achieve sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12.2 & 12.4), and increase agricultural productivity (SDG 2.3 & 2.4). Furthermore, plants and trees have core roles to play in sustainable cities to ensure good air quality. Increasing photosynthesis efficiency will also have a big impact on the reduction of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas in cities (SDG 11.6).
Why unique?
Qarbotech has the technology to enhance the photosynthesis rate of plants by 30%. This translates to 30% increase in plant growth, 25% reduction in the crop cycle, 20% increase in sweetness of fruits and 30% increase in nutritional values of the food crops (SDG 2.3). Harvast is the first photosynthesis enhancer on the market. Harvast-treated crops have shown resilience to drought (SDG 2.4). It has the potential to benefit agriculture in countries that receive less sunlight. Harvast can also reduce chemical fertilizer usage by 20%. This will help to minimize chemicals released into the environment (SDG 12.4). Harvast is upcycled from biochar, a by-product from the palm oil industry (SDG 12.2).