Objective PEWAS Aquaholder™ Seed+ concept of hydrostimulating seed treatment (later “AQS”) was developed as a response to a serious problem of drought in agriculture. It is a unique seed coating method for higher seed emergence and crop yields in water deprived regions. AQS uses a superabsorbing polymer (later „SP“) which has a great ability to absorb into its structures 200-500 times of water to own weight and release the captured water gradually in times of drought. As a result, crops treated with AQS have more moisture available to support the process of germination and the first phase of growth. Based on preliminary experiments and field tests following results have been achieved for AQS treated seeds: a) higher hectare yields by 10-15% b) higher seed emergence by 30-50% c) lower water demand by 30-40% in the first stage of seed growth. The innovativeness of AQS concept consists of a formula of AQS and seed treating procedure performed directly in existing coating facilities of seed companies. Changing climate conditions cause that the demand for solutions tackling the drought issue is growing. Based on the OECD’s report from 2016, 60% of the global population will face water issues by 2050 and up to 50% yield lost is estimated by the same year in some African countries. That is why the potential of AQS concept is significant and global. Just for the targeted market in Europe, the market potential for 2 main crops reaches €mil 163. The ambition of AQS concept for the future is to become a standard for seeds used in arid and semi-arid regions. Target customer for AQS concept is the seed treating company around the globe producing and distributing treated seeds to dry regions. Final user for AQS treated seeds is a farmer located in hyper arid to semi-arid regions around the world. We believe that AQS concept has a great potential to participate in fighting against negative impact of drought on agriculture. Fields of science social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness modelsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturenatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringnatural resources managementwater management Programme(s) H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme H2020-EU.3.2.4. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bioeconomy H2020-EU.3.2.1. - Sustainable agriculture and forestry H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument H2020-EU.3.2.2. - Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet Topic(s) SMEInst-07-2016-2017 - Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors Call for proposal H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator PEWAS SRO Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address VANSOVEJ 2 81103 BRATISLAVA Slovakia See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Slovensko Bratislavský kraj Bratislavský kraj Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 71 429,00
