A change in thinking has begun: natural crop protection products and fertilizers instead of artificial substances in agriculture – this is what more and more farmers are implementing. Companies from Austria have established themselves as one of the driving forces across national borders in this growth market for biologically sustainable – and above all affordable – alternatives. But money is needed to advance this development. Global Green from Mondsee, for example, is looking for investors “so that sooner or later we can change our agriculture sustainably,” says founder Daniel Kallinger in an interview with krone.at.
The challenge of our time: due to a lack of alternatives, agriculture is mainly dependent on chemical-synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This taxes the soil, further increasing the need for fertilizers. The solution is offered by emerging companies such as Nourivit Technologies from Lower Austria or Global Green from Upper Austria, which want to make an important contribution to climate protection with their product developments. This becomes all the more relevant as high energy prices and the explosion of fertilizer prices due to the war in Ukraine continue to pose major problems for domestic farmers.
Because they rely heavily on chemical-synthetic crop protection products and fertilizers, farmers are under enormous pressure from rising prices and at the same time our fields are increasingly at risk of irreversible damage due to the use of environmentally harmful products. Biostimulants offer a biologically sustainable and, above all, affordable way out of this misery. The deployment could represent an important step for farmers to be able to operate independently of the agricultural sector.
The way these microorganisms work requires us to rethink our understanding of agriculture. The microorganisms are not fertilizers or pesticides, but nevertheless promote fertility and strengthen the plants by closing and stabilizing ecological cycles.
Breaking the toxicological cycle
For example, the plant and soil additives developed by local start-ups are toxicologically harmless solutions to save on expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain chemical-synthetic products or, if possible, to replace them completely in the long term. According to the company, Global Green’s spray solutions bring life back to the soil and ensure better water absorption and higher yields. In addition, chemical-synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can be saved and CO₂ emissions can be reduced, it is said.
In any case, the success proves that the companies are right. Both Nourivit Technologies and Global Green now sell their product developments at home and abroad. Global Green is now included in approximately 140 Hornbach locations in five countries, company founder Daniel Kallinger proudly tells krone.at. His young company already produces at locations in Austria, Switzerland and Spain and can count on an international team of experts in the field of management, research and development.
Company is looking for investors for the next phase of growth
The Upper Austrian company is now facing the next phase of growth and is looking for supporters, says Daniel Kallinger. On the crowd investment platform Green Rocket, on which the Lower Austrians have already successfully found investors, you can invest in Global Green from 250 euros and with an interest rate of up to 8.5 percent. Depending on the success, investors not only benefit from supporting a sustainable project, but also from an annual bonus interest based on turnover.
Daniel Kallinger says he wants to use part of the money raised through the financing round that starts on Tuesday, among other things “for personnel costs, the purchase of an automated gas station, seven stainless steel tanks, 16 heavy racks and a special agricultural drone for the distribution of the biostimulants and marketing measures.” Kallinger about his ambitious goals: “Next year we will invest more than 1 million euros in automated production, additional employees, marketing and delivery methods such as drones.”
Spray drones will be used more and more in agriculture in the future:
Important research work at home and abroad
For the CEO of Global Green, research work remains essential for its growing success, he emphasizes. “We are currently working with the University of Innsbruck on our nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The laboratory tests are promising and we will use these bacterial cultures in agriculture in 2024,” reports the entrepreneur. Field trials will also be conducted again with the Wieselburg Agricultural School, the Josephinum & the Innovation Farm.
One thing is certain: domestic companies such as Nourivit Technologies and Global Green are positioning themselves as spearheads in the fight for the future of our agriculture with their alternatives to chemical-synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which have been examined in national and international studies. With a view to our climate and our future, pioneering work on micro-organisms is an important factor in achieving a sustainable reduction of chemical resources.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
