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A labour-efficient, organic herbicide-free and micronutrient infused seed tape and delivery mechanism aiding the growth and harvest of agri-products

Objetivo

The demand from food retailers to provide food which is grown according to organic standards rather than through the use of
inorganic herbicides has placed enormous pressure on crop growers. The underlying cause for this change has been the
increase in demand from consumers for food which has been grown organically or with reduced agrochemical inputs.
Existing organic solutions such as mechanical hoeing, poly mulching beds and thermal treatment (heat/foam/electricity) are
mostly unable to eliminate weeds within the crop rows, with the exception of expensive hand weeding. The prevalent use of
labour intensive weed control methods has contributed to the higher production cost, and hence retail price, of organic food
compared to food grown with the use of herbicides.

Our paper seed mat consists of a physical barrier made up of an absorbent lower layer and a very thin upper layer made
from paper. Seeds are placed between these two layers in rows, broadcasted or with precision placement. The absorbent
lower layer retains moisture and controls weeds. The key benefits of our product are that it eliminates manual labour for
weed control and allows for mechanised laying during the growing cycle, increases crop yield by 10% per season, has 100%
crop coverage, provides even germination, protects crops from microbiological and foreign body soil contamination,
degrades through the growing cycle and saves time and money in production.

Our target market is vegetable and salad producers, a significant market with over 450,000 ha of relevant crops grown in
Europe plus 270,000 ha in readily accessible international markets (e.g. USA, South Africa and Australia). Our concept has
been tested and validated in target markets, with very encouraging early sales of our beta version. Based on the early
market interest and end user feedback we have forecast sales of €19.2 million and a return on investment of 154% over the
five years following commercialisation.

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria

Convocatoria de subcontratación

H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017

Régimen de financiación

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

Coordinador

TERRASEED LIMITED
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 50 000,00
Dirección
UNIT 50 FOLLY FARM KINGSCLERE ROAD
RG26 SGJ TADLEY
Reino Unido

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Pyme

Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención.

Región
South East (England) Hampshire and Isle of Wight North Hampshire
Tipo de actividad
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 71 429,00