- Farmers in the developed world have been using these ‘biological nitrogen-fixers’ (BNFs) for years
- But generally they only work on a specific crop type, the ‘legume’ family that includes peas, beans and pulses
- Now we’re going to find out how much nitrogen these microbes can fix when used in non-legume crops like maize, millets, sorghum and cassava
In an extension to the project, we’ll look at how to develop special packaging to bring these products effectively and affordably to small-scale producers.
- BNF products are live
- Quality packaging is essential to maintain shelf life and quality
- Premium products are shipped in sterilised packaging BUT in quantities way in excess of a smallholders’ needs, making them too expensive.Our standard packet size treats roughly 100 kilograms of seed — far too much for the majority of farmers that require an average of 30 kilograms.
So, the grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s FCDO will also enable:
- Design, build and installation of a new packaging line at Legume Technology’s UK factory
- Dedicated to SSP products
- The ‘Micropack’ is the size of a crisp packet – easily portable and highly affordable, while keeping the contents in optimum conditions
A Micropack containing a microbe with the ability to fix nitrogen in African maize?
It has the potential to transform the lives of millions of African smallholders with bigger and better crops, while also preventing the further deterioration of African soils.
