Key Takeaways
- MustGrow Biologics Corp has received organic compliance certification from the USDA National Organic Program for its TerraSante™ crop fertilizer and soil amendment technology.
- The technology is mustard plant-based and focuses on soil health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields.
- The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approval may allow farmers to reduce synthetic chemical and fertilizer use.
- TerraSante™ aims to improve soil microbiome health and potentially increase plant vigor and yields.
- The global fertilizer market is expected to reach $242 billion by 2030, with soil amendment and biofertility as growing sub-markets.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based MustGrow Biologics Corp has announced that its TerraSante™ crop fertilizer and soil amendment technology has received organic compliance certification from the USDA National Organic Program. The technology is now OMRI Listed® under the Generic Material Listing(s): NOP: Plant Extracts, Class: Crop Fertilizers and Soil Amendments.
Organic Certification and Market Impact
The organic certification from the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) could provide farmers with an opportunity to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. This comes when there is a growing market demand for organic biological products. The OMRI approval process involves a strict review of product ingredients and manufacturing compliance standards. Once the product receives final registration approval from U.S. state agencies, it will be marketed as “OMRI listed for organic use.”
Technological Advancements
TerraSante™ is a mustard plant-based technology focusing on soil and soil microbiome health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields. Colin Bletsky, MustGrow’s COO, stated that the organic certification is a significant milestone towards commercializing TerraSante™. The technology aims to support food production by offering new organic innovations.
Global Partnerships and Future Plans
MustGrow works with four global partners: Janssen PMP, Bayer, Sumitomo Corporation, and NexusBioAg. These partnerships aim to achieve performance milestones and expand globally in scope and investment. The company plans to initially focus its development work in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, and Arizona before expanding nationwide across the United States.
Soil Health and Ecological Impact
TerraSante™ is designed to improve not only the health of the soil but also the surrounding ecological environment. It contains nutritious plant proteins and carbohydrates that feed soil microbes, potentially improving beneficial microbial activity and ensuring long-term sustainable soil health. The technology can potentially improve crop nutrient uptake and overall crop performance.
Market Potential
The global fertilizer market is anticipated to reach $242 billion by 2030, up from $193 billion in 2021. The soil amendment market is estimated to be $8.0 billion by 2030, and the biofertility market is estimated to be $7.0 billion by 2030. TerraSante™ aims to target these growing markets, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.
Photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash
