We are currently in an era where the agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges. The region anticipates a 12% population increase by 2035, escalating the demand for food by an estimated 40% by 2050. This surge, coupled with the challenges of limited resources, land degradation, and the impacts of urbanization, places immense pressure on the agricultural sector.
However, there are solutions or at least, options available in the market. With a recent influx of USD 700,000 in seed funding and grants, led by 500 Global and supported by institutions like the Temasek Foundation and Dana Impak, Qarbotech is one of the companies looking to uplift the flagging agricultural industry.
How farmers in Southeast Asia are leveraging agritech to boost production and reduce environmental impact
Qarbotech’s patented photosynthesis enhancement nanotechnology is a game-changer. This on-plant or in-soil solution boasts a remarkable ability to boost crop yields by up to 60%. The company’s unique formulation, containing biocompatible organic compounds akin to chlorophyll, amplifies the photosynthesis rate in leafy plants. This technology optimizes photosynthetic efficiency and shortening growth cycles, enabling farmers of all scales to significantly enhance their crop yield.
We had a chance to speak to Qarbotech CEO and Co-Founder, Chor Chee Hoe about his disruptive agricultural solutions. The company’s journey from university labs to commercial farms was also led in part by Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid, Chief Scientist and Founder of Qarbotech.
With the recent funding, Qarbotech is poised to make significant strides in research & development and scale up its manufacturing capabilities. This expansion is not just about increasing capacity; it’s about reaching new markets and touching more lives. The company’s flagship product, QarboGrow, exemplifies its commitment to sustainable agriculture, offering a revolutionary technology that enhances crop yields while minimizing environmental impact.
As we delve into this interview with Chee Hoe, we explore the new path for Qarbotech. We’ll discuss his perspectives on innovation, sustainability, and the future of farming in Southeast Asia
Congrats on the latest funding. Could you explain how it will be used?
Thank you, we are grateful for the support of 500 Global, Khazanah Nasional’s Dana Impak, and Temasek Foundation. With the additional capital, we can enrich the lives and businesses of more farmers across Southeast Asia, and contribute to solving food security challenges. A significant portion of the funding will be allocated to capital expenditures (CAPEX) to expand our production facilities. We aim to increase our production capacity by 50 times to meet the growing market demand. The funding will also be dedicated to expanding within our existing market Malaysia, and entering new markets like Indonesia. We will continue to enhance our product offerings through extensive research and development. Our team is ready to make a greater impact in 2024.
Could you explain the nanotech aspect of your product and how it works?
We possess a patented green process for manufacturing carbon quantum dots (CQD), which are minute carbon fragments derived from agro-waste. This process is highly scalable and cost-effective. In contrast to quantum dots based on metals or semiconductors, our CQD is biocompatible. Being biocompatible means it is compatible with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic; in other words, it is safe and organic! This unique feature allows us to explore untapped markets, leveraging the remarkable properties of this material.
While our CQD holds promise for various applications, the fastest route to commercialisation lies in the agriculture and horticulture industry. Here, CQD serves as a photosynthesis enhancer, accelerating the growth of crops and plants to boost overall yield. Additionally, it aids in absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Functioning as a photosynthesis enhancer, our CQD facilitates the capture of additional light by plants, converting it into chemical energy through an enhanced photosynthetic process. Increased photosynthetic efficiency translates to higher crop yield and more harvests for farmers.
Where do you see the most potential growth in the region for your solution?
In 2023, we are starting to penetrate the agriculture market in Malaysia. Moving forward, we are eyeing other countries in Southeast Asia, like Indonesia to scale our impact regionally. In 2022, the gross domestic product (GDP) from plantation crops in Indonesia was nearly USD 47 billion. It shows how big the impact potential that we could have in Indonesia. Our main focus lies in Southeast Asia’s market segment of farmers, especially those affected by climate change. The climate crisis adversely affects crop yields for farmers, with El Niño causing prolonged droughts and extended monsoon seasons, both of which significantly decrease crop yields and farmers’ income.
Qarbotech’s technology has the potential to enhance the rate of photosynthesis, leading to increased crop yields. Improved photosynthesis can make plants more resistant to climate-induced stress, such as droughts or excessive rainfall. This resilience is crucial as farmers worldwide confront increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change. As the technology enhances photosynthesis, it can accelerate the conversion of CO2 into biomass. This not only results in improved crop growth but also aids in sequestering more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is essential for mitigating climate change. With climate change causing shifts in agricultural zones worldwide, Qarbotech’s growth potential in the future lies in the global agriculture markets. Especially in the Gulf countries, we could assist crops in adapting to new areas, ensuring that food production can continue despite changing climates.
How do you overcome the challenges of the slow adoption of agritech solutions by a very traditional agriculture industry in Southeast Asia?
Farmers in Southeast Asia are increasingly more open to adopting new technologies that support business growth. Having said that, more can definitely be achieved through education and financing options.
To support the adoption of Qarbotech’s solutions, we conduct an Education Outreach Program (EOP) to promote the advantages of our product. This involves workshops, training programs, and demonstrations designed to educate farmers about the potential improvements in productivity, efficiency, and profitability that our technology can offer.
Financing options for agritech adoption are limited, making it challenging for farmers to invest in new technologies. To tackle this challenge, we are establishing connections between farmers and a few partners in our ecosystem. This initiative aims to ensure farmers have access to more flexible financing options, facilitating their ability to use our product.
What’s next for Qarbotech?
We will always focus on creating tangible value for our customers and farmers. For example, we aim to address the issue of low yield during the monsoon season by leveraging our technology, which enables plants to capture more sunlight even in overcast skies. Additionally, we will continue to advance our research and development efforts to improve our technologies and expand our product offerings.
Looking ahead in the longer term, I envision Qarbotech as a scientific venture. The technologies we develop will play a crucial role in enhancing various aspects of human life. Whether it’s ensuring food security and resilient agriculture, utilising renewable energy and solar cells for power, implementing solar cell-powered windows and biophilic interior design for our living spaces, providing healthcare and real-time diagnostics for healthier lives, or contributing to sustainable cities and towns through carbon capture and offsetting via enhanced photosynthesis – all these elements can be powered by Qarbotech’s quantum dots technology. We utilise light to enrich lives.