Switch Bioworks的动态

?? The Future of Agriculture: Navigating the Nanotech Landscape ???? ?? From groundbreaking nanocomposites safeguarding agrochemicals to precise nano-delivery systems tackling plant diseases, these inventions don't just revolutionize agriculture but hint at potential medical applications too. ?????? ?? The Edge of Innovation: Nanotechnologies in Agriculture ???? Amidst the global challenges of food security and environmental sustainability, nanotechnologies tailored for agriculture shine as a beacon of hope! ???? With their ingenious nanocomposites and delivery systems, they aim to cut waste, boost agrochemical efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming. ?????? These advancements also promise to fortify crops against diseases and pests, ensuring a sustainable food supply for generations to come. ?????????? ?? The Shadow of Progress: The Dicamba Dilemma ???? As technological strides in agriculture, shadows cast a sobering light; A recent study from Indiana University School of Medicine uncovers a concerning trend: dicamba, a common weed killer, has surged over fourfold in the urine of pregnant women in a major farming state. ???? This raises alarms about human exposure to agrochemicals and sparks worries about potential health risks, especially for expectant mothers and their unborn children. ???? These findings contribute to a growing body of research urging a reevaluation of chemical use in agriculture and its impact on human health. ???? ?? A Call for Sustainable Practices: The Urgency of Change ???? The dicamba study and ongoing research into pesticide distribution across agroecosystem food webs send a clear message: we need sustainable farming practices now more than ever! ???? Gloria Agyare, a passionate Ghanaian environmentalist, echoes this urgency, highlighting the risks associated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. ?????? Through agroforestry projects and advocacy for agroecology, Agyare champions a return to eco-friendly food production methods. ???? Her work emphasizes the pressing need to address food insecurity and malnutrition in Africa, where 140 million people grapple with acute food challenges. ???? ???? #sustainableagriculture #nanotechnology #innovation #changeleadership #greenfuture ????

?? Proud to Present at DevRes 2024 Conference! ?? I recently had the privilege of presenting my research at the Development Research Conference (DevRes 2024) held in Lund, Sweden. My presentation, titled "French Bean Production as Influenced by Biochar and Biochar Blended Manure Application in Two Agro-Ecological Zones of Rwanda," explored sustainable agriculture practices that align closely with DevRes’s mission to promote research that supports global sustainability and resilience. Key Takeaways from My Research: Enhanced Soil Health: Biochar, both on its own and when blended with manure, showed significant potential in improving soil structure, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity—essential elements for sustainable agricultural practices. Yield Improvements: In the two agro-ecological zones studied, biochar applications led to measurable increases in French bean yields, highlighting its role in enhancing crop productivity in smallholder farming systems. Sustainable Fertilization: By using biochar-blended manure, we can reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, leading to a more sustainable approach that benefits both soil health and the environment. Connecting to DevRes Themes: This research supports DevRes themes of sustainable resource use and climate-smart agriculture, as biochar-based practices offer a promising path toward resilient and productive farming systems. By enhancing soil properties and reducing the need for chemical inputs, biochar applications can help small-scale farmers adapt to climate challenges while promoting sustainable food security in East Africa. Thank you to everyone at DevRes 2024 for the opportunity to engage with inspiring research from around the world and exchange ideas on building a more resilient future. ?? #DevRes2024 #SustainableAgriculture #Biochar #ClimateResilience #SoilHealth #FoodSecurity #AgriculturalResearch

Can agroecology and alternative proteins go hand in hand? ? Often these two are portrayed as opposing concepts. Our friends from Green Alliance and the Good Food Institute Europe have done some number crunching to prove the opposite: One enables the other. ? A modest shift to alternative proteins could at least double the share of organically farmed land across the 10 largest agricultural countries in the EU plus the UK. This is just one of many key findings in the study. The report concludes that a shift to alternative proteins is essential for being able to expand agroecological farming in Europe without moving food production to other countries. The newly available land freed up from animal agriculture could actually be used for achieving a combination between three priorities:? ? Increase in domestic (European) food production (higher food security),? ? Increase natural habitats (higher carbon sequestration, higher biodiversity)? ? Increase agroecological farming (increased rural income, Just Transition for farmers) ? Doesn't that sound like a bright future? ? Read the full report to find out what needs to happen, to make this happen! ? https://lnkd.in/eXvAx7Me

Ready for a sweet BioBoosters challenge? ?? Call open until March 1. We are looking for a solution for valorizing these side streams: ?? beet leaves currently left on the field ?? 50,000 tons per year of beet soil from cleaning processes ?? 6,000 tons per year of sewage sludge from water treatment process ?? 70,000 tons of carbonation lime from the juice purification ?? 90,000 tons per year of digestate from the biogas plant ?? 190,000 tons per year of vinasse from the bioethanol plant How? Apply here:?https://bit.ly/49ADfKh ?? Deadline for application: March 1st. Want to learn more? ?? ?https://lnkd.in/dSTvTCwS ?? Cosun Beet Company and WITENO GmbH invite innovative companies, start up’s, scientists, students and all innovators. ? #bioboosters?#bioresidues?#nutrients?#agriculture?#biomass?#bioeconomy?#circulareconomy?#innovation #jamk #zerowaste #BSR #climateneutral #interreg

?? Have you heard about acroecology? On #BiodiversityDay, we explore its benefits, and the implications it has on biodiveristy. Agroecology brings multiple benefits to people and the environment, including supporting biodiversity and soil health. In a region like Southeast Asia with an estimated 100 million smallholder farmers, this could mean saving costs and increasing yields in the long-term. But what are the barriers that prevent agroecology from taking root? How can the finance sector drive change? Produced in collaboration with GROW, our report: ? explores the role of agroecology in Southeast Asia's protein transition; ? identifies the role the financial sector can play in catalysing change and overcoming barriers to action; ??pinpoints how financing and investment decisions can contribute to the transition to a future-fit protein system. Explore the report:?https://lnkd.in/g629qqyW Are you interested in working with us to transform the food system? Get in touch with our team at?[email protected]. #protein?#proteinsystem?#foodsystem?#futurefoodsystem?#agroecology?#southeastasia #biodiversity

There will be an interesting conference organized by ICARDA/CGIAR, AgMIP and UM6P next week. The topic is innovations for sustainable production of neglected and underutilized crops in Middle East and North Africa. These crops offer great opportunities for diversification of food systems, adding nutritional value to diets, generating income for smallholders, resilience to farming systems, and reducing vulnerabilities overall. There is no question that we need to find ways to add diversity to our food sources, which tend to have alarmingly reduced genetic base. Great opportunity to hear about progress in this front. See: https://lnkd.in/eBKSFkM6

How did it start? Innovating Against Invasives: Jack Oyugi's Journey from biotech graduate to Eco-Entrepreneur Lake Victoria, vital to East Africa, faces an environmental threat from water hyacinth, a rapidly multiplying invasive plant. Jack Oyugi co-founder of Vertical Lake, leveraging his biotechnology background from the University of Nairobi, embarked on an innovative path to turn this challenge into an opportunity. In 2014, Jack developed a ground-breaking method to convert water hyacinth into protein-rich animal feed. ?As Jack developed his biofeed concept, he encountered a problem. The quality of the protein from water hyacinth wasn’t sufficiently high, and an alternative, supplementary protein source was required to balance the feed. Jack eventually turned to aquaculture for fish meal to increase the nutritional content of his feed. Having found a suitable method of generating protein, the next challenge was scaling up the process. Jack's pivotal innovation, 'Oviponics,' a vertical aquaculture system, maximizes space and resources, providing sustainable organic fish protein and organic bio-fertilizer in a truly circular fashion that is?highly scalable. Vertical Like are now leveraging this science and its sustainable methods to produce premium organic and protein products Kenyan and international markets. Jack's story is a testament to how innovative thinking and dedication can turn ecological challenges into sustainable opportunities. Follow him here. #HappyFish #Innovation #Sustainability #BioEngineering #Aquaculture If you want to stay up-to-date with us, follow our Page.

"Teach a man to fish...and he may still go hungry. Teach a man to raise his own fish and vegetables with aquaponics, and he feeds his family for a lifetime." Thanking S Azeem Imran Ali for this innovative integration of BFT and aquaponics. By integrating BFT with aquaponics, we can address these challenges: Nutrient Recycling: Excess bioflocs from BFT can be mineralized, improving micro-nutrient solubility. These minerals can then be added to the aquaponic system, enhancing plant growth. Year-Round Production: The combined system allows for year-round production, as aquaponics can operate indoors. Supplemental Income: Farmers can benefit from both fish and plant production, increasing their income. Integrating BFT and aquaponics can lead to more sustainable aquaculture practices, improved productivity, and better-quality products. It’s an exciting area of research with promising outcomes! ??????

For us, Earth Day is truly every day, but here's the way we strive to make that focus relevant across the globe. Agricultural systems have always been foundational to human survival and the social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological systems we depend upon. The current food system crises underlie and contribute to the broader upheavals in our social, political, and economic landscapes. Transitioning from extractive to regenerative economic and social models, grounded in healthier farming and food systems for people and the planet, is a fundamental challenge of our era. This solution, among others, can strengthen and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. https://lnkd.in/euEHk-pH #EarthDay #agroecology

#InternationalYouthDay - Empowering the Future of Minor Crop Production ?? On this International Youth Day, we celebrate the crucial role that young people play in shaping the future of agriculture. With their fresh perspectives and innovative approaches, youth are driving sustainability and innovation in farming practices, ensuring global food security for generations to come. #Minorcrops, though often overlooked, are vital to our #agriculturaldiversity and resilience. However, challenges like limited resources, #marketaccess, and #climatechange demand fresh solutions. Young farmers and entrepreneurs are rising to the occasion, embracing education, technology, and collaboration to overcome these barriers. The future of minor crop cultivation lies in the hands of the youth. Their leadership, energy, and commitment to sustainable practices will not only expand the market for these essential crops but also ensure a more diverse and resilient global food system. This International Youth Day, we honor their contributions and look forward to the bright future they are cultivating. #InternationalYouthDay #YouthInAgriculture #MinorCrops #SustainableFarming #FutureOfAgriculture #FoodSecurity #minoruses #specialtycrops #minorusefoundation #MUF