Key Takeaways:
- Commercial Scale Adoption: Following successful two-year pilot trials, Limoneira Company advances to commercial deployment of Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) by Desert Control at their Yuma, Arizona citrus ranch.
- Enhanced Soil Health and Resource Efficiency: LNC is expected to significantly improve water and nutrient efficiency, crucial for long-term soil health and productivity in citrus cultivation under desert conditions.
- Scalability and Effectiveness: Limoneira’s decision to expand LNC use reflects the technology’s scalability and effectiveness in enhancing soil health, aligning with sustainable farming practices.
- Milestone for Desert Control: This marks the first full commercial adoption of LNC in the U.S., transitioning from pilot programs to commercial deployments, establishing LNC as a viable solution in sustainable agriculture.
- Potential for Wider Application: The staged deployment with Limoneira lays the foundation for larger-scale projects, demonstrating the feasibility and potential of LNC in the agricultural sector.
Desert Control, a company specializing in climate-smart AgTech solutions announced a significant development in sustainable agriculture. Following successful pilot trials, Limoneira Company, a Delaware corporation, is moving forward with the commercial deployment of Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) at their citrus ranch in Yuma, Arizona. This decision underscores Limoneira’s commitment to pioneering sustainable agricultural practices and represents a notable step in the commercial market adoption of LNC.
Commercial Deployment of LNC
Desert Control received a purchase order from Limoneira to apply LNC over 60 acres, covering 6,652 trees at the Yuma ranch. Targeted for completion by April 2024, this deployment is expected to immediately improve water and nutrient efficiency, vital for cultivating soil health, yields, and quality in challenging desert conditions. The continued roll-out of LNC is aligned with Limoneira’s water conservation and sustainability strategy and will be executed in stages.
Journey from Pilot to Commercial Deployment
The relationship between Desert Control and Limoneira began with a small LNC pilot project for 50 trees in July 2022. The pilot’s success in water conservation led to an expanded pre-project covering 2,000 trees over 20 acres in early 2023. The journey from a small pilot to a large-scale commercial deployment in the United States highlights the growing confidence in LNC technology and scalability.
Achievements in Efficiency and Scalability
Throughout the collaboration, Desert Control has made significant strides in efficiency improvements essential for the scalability of LNC adoption. The production capacity per unit has more than doubled, and application efficiency has improved significantly, which adds value to the upcoming LNC deployments.
LNC’s Impact on Sustainable Agriculture
Limoneira’s LNC roll-out marks an important milestone for Desert Control as it represents the first entirely commercial adoption of LNC in the U.S., transcending the pilot program phase. The transition from pilot contracts to commercial deployments via the initial purchase order is an endorsement of LNC as a proven solution in sustainable agriculture. The potential for continued LNC roll-out at the Yuma ranch is substantial, with plans to replant hundreds of acres emerging from fallowing and forbearance programs.
About Desert Control and Limoneira Company
Desert Control specializes in climate-smart AgTech solutions to combat desertification, soil degradation, and water scarcity. Its patented Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) restores and enhances soil ecosystems, reducing water usage and improving the efficiency of fertilizers and natural resources. Limoneira Company, a 130-year-old international agribusiness, is a leader in sustainable farming, producing lemons, avocados, oranges, and other crops globally. This partnership marks a significant step in adopting sustainable and profitable desert farming practices.
Image provided by Limoneira
