The power of light

• Climate change poses a significant challenge to global food security, and 500-backed agritech startup Qarbotech aims to be part of the solution.
• “Traditional farming methods often overlook the potential of optimizing photosynthesis, focusing instead on soil and nutrient management,” explained Chee Hoe Chor, Co-founder & CEO. “Our technology shifts the focus to the leaves, significantly boosting photosynthetic efficiency, which translates to higher yields, improved crop quality, and greater resilience to environmental stressors.”
• The team’s flagship product, QarboGrow, is a biocompatible organic compound that enhances photosynthetic efficiency.
• Chee Hoe shares that their biggest challenge has been scaling their technology from the lab to commercial applications. Partnering with research institutions and maintaining a customer-focused approach to product development are a few ways the team is overcoming it. They collaborate with farmers, agricultural businesses, and governments to implement their technology across various agricultural sectors.
• Qarbotech’s success clearly has roots in this approach. “Building a strong network and fostering collaborative partnerships can also provide invaluable support and opportunities for growth,” Chee Hoe shared.
• What’s next for Qarbotech? “Expanding our market presence in Southeast Asia and beyond, further refining our product range, and developing new applications for our nanotechnology,” he revealed. “Our long-term goal is to be at the forefront of sustainable agricultural technology, contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.”
• Read the full interview here.