By Agroempresario.com

Soil fertility in Africa is on a sharp decline, directly impacting crop yields and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who rely on limited land resources. The issue is exacerbated by soil acidification, primarily due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers such as DAP, CAN, and urea, which are often unaffordable for the majority of African farmers. As a response, British agricultural biotechnology firm Legume Technology is stepping up with an innovative solution to address these challenges: microbial biofertilizers.

Founded in 2000, Legume Technology specializes in harnessing natural microbes to boost crop growth. These “biological nitrogen-fixers” (BNFs) are particularly effective for legume crops like peas, soybeans, and pulses, which are essential to many African diets. BNFs capture nitrogen from the air, making it available to crops and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, which degrade soil health over time.

Challenges in biofertilizer adoption

Despite their potential, the adoption of biofertilizers in Africa has been slow. Bruce Knight, co-founder and managing director of Legume Technology, notes that the high cost of synthetic fertilizers is a barrier, as is the environmental damage they cause. However, transitioning to biologicals faces significant hurdles, including affordability and packaging that suits the needs of smallholder farmers.

Knight, a microbiologist with a focus on soil bacteria beneficial to agriculture, first realized the potential impact of BNFs on African agriculture in 2007 at a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation event in Tanzania. Since then, Legume Technology has been supplying microbial solutions in 14 African countries. However, packaging has been a major issue; the current product sizes are designed for large-scale farmers, making them impractical for smallholders who typically plant on half-hectare plots.

Local competitors, such as MEA Ltd in Kenya and IITA in Nigeria, have made strides in packaging biofertilizers in smaller, more affordable sachets, but these often fall short in quality and efficacy compared to Legume Technology’s products.

A grant to transform african agriculture

This month, Legume Technology received a £2.15 million ($2.83 million) grant from the Gates Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This funding will allow the company to tackle the packaging and crop diversification issues that have hindered the widespread adoption of biofertilizers in Africa.

The company plans to build a new packaging line in the UK to produce smaller, high-quality packs that are affordable and accessible for smallholder farmers. These packs will be designed to preserve the live microbes inside, ensuring they remain effective by the time they reach farmers. The new packaging will range from 50 to 100 grams, perfectly suited for small-scale use.

Expanding beyond legumes

The grant will also fund a three-year research program aimed at developing biofertilizers for non-legume crops, which are commonly grown by African farmers. By collaborating with research institutions, microbe banks, and universities, Legume Technology aims to identify and test 50 BNF bacterial strains that could be effective for crops like maize, millet, sorghum, and cassava.

The most promising strains will be rigorously tested and reviewed by the James Hutton Institute, a leading agricultural science organization in the UK. By mid-next year, the company expects to have trial samples ready, with the goal of registering and commercializing these new products in at least three African countries by the program’s end.

Looking ahead

Legume Technology’s efforts, backed by substantial funding, are set to revolutionize how smallholder farmers in Africa manage soil fertility and crop yields. Knight emphasizes the importance of government support in streamlining testing and registration processes to encourage more ag biotech companies to invest in Africa. While the company is not seeking subsidies, it hopes for a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and allows biofertilizers to play a crucial role in sustainable African agriculture.

With this new initiative, Legume Technology is poised to make a lasting impact on African agriculture, offering farmers sustainable solutions that not only improve yields but also protect the environment for future generations.