A growth spurt

• Southeast Asia’s population is estimated to grow to 750 million by 2035. This population growth and climate change is expected to fuel an increase in food demand by 40%.
• However, limited agricultural resources, widespread land degradation, and diminishing arable land caused by urbanisation and industrialization in the region pose a threat to food production.
• Rising to support farmers to grow more with less arable land is agritech startup Qarbotech, which raised US$700,000 in seed funding led by 500 Global, and grants from Temasek Foundation and Khazanah Nasional.
• The company’s flagship product, QarboGrow, is a photosynthesis enhancer that helps farmers increase crop yields while reducing their environmental impact.
• With the fresh funds, the team said they will make significant investments in strengthening their research and development, and expand their manufacturing facility to produce up to 50x its current capacity to serve farmers and growers in new markets across Southeast Asia.
• Qarbotech’s patented photosynthesis enhancement nanotechnology is an on-plant or in-soil solution that boosts agricultural productivity – increasing crop yields by up to 60%. The company’s unique formulation contains biocompatible organic compounds with properties similar to chlorophyll, thus increasing the photosynthesis rate of leafy plants.
• “As the industry’s most accessible photosynthesis enhancer, we are pioneering a new and disruptive solution that will reshape conventional approaches to farming,” shared Chee Hoe Chor, Co-founder & CEO.
• “Agriculture is an industry that’s ripe for investments. When we have the privilege to meet a team that’s catalyzing a step change for farmers, we back them. Qarbotech’s technology has exciting potential to solve the global food security challenge of the world’s growing population, of which about 30% do not have food security. We believe that when Qarbotech wins, these 2.3 billion people win too.” – Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Global.
• Read the full story on TechNode Global.

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