Key Takeaways
- Mercy Corps Ventures selects Salicrop for pilot under Water Security innovation call
- Pilot to test non-GMO seed priming technology for salinity and heat resilience
- Initiative targets tomato farmers in Baja California facing drought and saline irrigation
- Side-by-side field trials planned for 2026 season with 10 smallholder farmers
- Project includes agronomic monitoring and sustainability performance tracking
Mercy Corps Ventures Tests Seed-Based Climate Adaptation in Baja California
Mercy Corps Ventures has launched a pilot project with Salicrop to test a non-GMO seed priming process designed to enhance tomato plants’ resilience to heat and saline irrigation. The pilot was selected as one of three initiatives under the organization’s Innovative Tech for Water Security call for proposals, which received 243 applications from 48 countries.
Tomato growers in Baja California face increasing drought, rising temperatures, and saline irrigation water caused by groundwater degradation and seawater intrusion. These conditions can reduce yields by 20–50%, affecting farm incomes and household stability.
The pilot will evaluate whether Salicrop’s seed treatment technology can improve germination, plant vigor, yield, and fruit quality under these stress conditions.
Seed-Level Technology Without Changing Varieties
Salicrop’s approach involves treating seeds before sowing using a non-GMO priming process. The treatment is applied to existing tomato varieties already used by farmers, eliminating the need for new equipment or changes in production practices.
During the 2026 growing season, 10 smallholder farmers will plant treated and untreated seeds side by side in their fields. Local agronomists and project teams will provide technical support and monitor crop performance throughout the season.
The pilot will collect data on germination rates, plant health, yields, fruit quality, and sustainability indicators such as water use efficiency. Remote sensing tools and field-level assessments will be incorporated into performance analysis.
Mercy Corps Ventures Focuses on Learning and Scalability
Beyond agronomic results, Mercy Corps Ventures aims to assess how seed enhancement solutions could integrate into local agricultural value chains. Engagement with farmer organizations, agribusinesses, and financial institutions, including FIRA, is part of the project design.
Maria Gomez, Climate Venture Lab Lead at Mercy Corps Ventures, said: “Our role is to bring tools that respect farmers’ knowledge, reduce risk, and open new possibilities for thriving in difficult conditions.”
Carmit Oron, CEO of Salicrop, added: “Partnering with Mercy Corps Ventures in Mexico is an important step in showing how seed-level innovation can support smallholders.”
If results are positive, Mercy Corps Ventures and Salicrop will evaluate opportunities to expand the model to additional regions and crops within Mexico.
