NUTRIALGAE

As a result, the application of these biostimulants in the field doubled the investment, translating into cost reductions across the entire agro-food industry value chain.

The Scientific Research and Higher Education Center of Ensenada (CICESE, Mexico), GN Productores Navarro (Mexico), and Hassan II University of Casablanca (Morocco) were the entities Ficosterra collaborated with in the field and laboratory tests that integrated the project. For this purpose, biostimulants from algae extracts and microorganisms, cystium-k ® and ficosagro ®, certified for organic farming and sustainably harvested, were used.

Experts have pointed out two economic benefits within this organic farming project: the reduced fertilization costs and the broccoli sale itself. The products applied, characteristic of 21st-century sustainable agriculture, have demonstrated a high return on investment (ROI), achieving economic performance three times higher than the costs. “To assess this gain in economic terms, one must consider not so much the quantity produced but the market it targets, the broccoli sale price, which varies greatly from country to country: two dollars/kg in Mexico compared to 0.3/kg in Morocco. Therefore, the value of broccoli cultivated in “Nutrialgae” varies considerably and is lower in the case of Morocco.

Science has long known about the properties of using seaweed to improve crop yields. “Nutrialgae” has further demonstrated that contamination in aquifers caused by nitrogen residues from chemical fertilizers can be reduced.

The multidisciplinary team working on “Nutrialgae” has verified that the application of agricultural biostimulants promotes crop growth by increasing soil porosity and nutrient absorption capacity, reducing salinity, stimulating soil microbial activity, and requiring less water for cultivation. For Ficosterra, these benefits represent a Triple Win, as there are three beneficiaries of this regenerative agriculture: nature, by reducing the carbon footprint and nutrient runoff; farmers, by increasing crop yields and saving on field products; and people, the consumers who can access healthier and more environmentally friendly food.

The Ocean Innovation Challenge places Spanish agricultural innovation on the international stage.

Ficosterra, representing the Spanish agri-food sector, was the only Spanish company selected in the first edition of the OIC in 2020, where 600 proposals were submitted to contribute to the progress of the blue economy and Sustainable Development Goal 14 (reducing marine and ocean pollution). This environmental challenge is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The final selection of initiatives was made among innovative, replicable, and scalable public and private projects that promote the restoration and protection of oceans and coasts.

It is expected that the trials conducted will raise awareness among local communities in Mexico and Morocco about the benefits of replacing standard fertilizers with algae-based products to ensure the sale of fertilizers and the sustainability of the project.

For more information, we invite you to watch the video of the trials