Project description DEENESFRITPL Crop growth with minimum water consumption Aridity and desertification represent significant threats to European agriculture, particularly in the South. In addition, traditional animal feeds like soy meal and sunflower cake harm the environment. Lemna is a high-protein animal feed crop that can be grown with a minimum of water and at a low cost. DryGro proposes an innovative method to grow this crop in arid lands, reduce water consumption by 99 %, and cost by more than 50 % per unit of output. The EU-funded DEGCAE project will perform a feasibility study to explore the economic and technological viability of the method in Spain, Italy and Greece. In the initial phase of commercialisation, the project will select adequate markets and support the trials in these countries. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective DryGro is an agriculture technology company that has developed an innovative new way to grow animal feed crops using very little water. This method uses large, 20m x 200m closed environment growing units to grow a high-protein animal feed crop called lemna, and can replace traditional animal feed staples like soy meal and sunflower cake which are very environmentally damaging. DryGro growing units have a number of advantages to traditional feed growing. Units are placed above ground, and thus avoid the need to compete with traditional growing methods for use of high quality arable land in the production process. Using this method, animal feed protein can be grown at a market price cheaper than is currently available on the market today. Current testing indicates that this method reduces water consumption per gram of protein by over 99%. DryGro technology increases yield per hectare by around 8x compared to traditional protein ingredients like soy. The market for feed produced by this technology is valued at over $150bn per year. The key USPs of DryGro's technology are: 1) Ability to grow high-nutrient crops in areas otherwise unsuitable for agriculture; 2) 99% reduction in water consumption; 3) cost reduction of >50% per unit of output and 4) flexibility in choice of location, thus shortening supply chains and reducing costs. This feasibility study seeks to explore the technological and economic viability of expanding operations into three European target markets (Spain, Italy and Greece; selected as they face significant threats regarding aridity/desertification). It is hoped that the Phase 1 feasibility study will select the most suitable 1-2 markets of these countries, and underpin a Phase 2 application to enable DryGro to undertake trials in the target countries. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsoilseedsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandryanimal feed Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator CO2I LTD Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address 42 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHAM HP17 8HE AYLESBURY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE United Kingdom 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 South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire CC 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
