October 3, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

On November 15, 2021, the world population surpassed 8 billion on its way to breaching 10 billion by 2050. Connected with the expectation is the need to produce more food than has been produced in the past 10,000 years combined (staggering!). 

To accomplish this, it would require a 70 percent increase to today’s global food output. But we are approaching our limit of arable land, and between now and 2030, forecasts are that we will see a meager 4 percent increase in acreage. Therefore, this increase in production must come from improved yields rather than greater acres.

Traditionally, improved yields have come at a rather high ecological and environmental cost due to the extractive nature of existing production methods. However, regenerative agriculture practices, such as planting cover crops, reducing tillage, and incorporating native plant species, can improve soil health, conserve natural resources, and provide habitat for pollinators.

It also can reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can be harmful to pollinators and other beneficial insects. By reducing the reliance on these inputs, regenerative agriculture practices can create an overall healthier environment for entire ecosystems – including humans.

The benefits are clear, but technologies and solutions are needed to be developed that can deliver critical results within the regenerative framework. 

Into this gap steps Biodel Ag, Inc. a regenerative agriculture company that has just closed on a Series A investment led by Pangaea Ventures – a high-profile venture capital firm with a focus on advancing materials and clean energy. 

With this capital, Biodel Ag stated that it will accelerate the commercialization of its novel solutions targeting the enhancement of soil health, optimizing water utilization, improving nutrient efficiency, and the sequestering of carbon emissions. 

The company explained that vibrant, healthy soil requires less water and fertilizers and plays a key role in promoting a sustainable food supply chain by capturing atmospheric CO2, adding that its mission is to re-establishing a balanced system through cutting-edge biological products that bolster soil health, functionality, and plant vitality. 

“This strategic investment by Pangaea Ventures solidifies Biodel AG’s position as a leader in regenerative agriculture and underscores our unwavering dedication to addressing the urgent challenges of our time,” said Ben Cloud, CEO, Biodel Ag.

“Pangaea’s investment not only validates our vision but also equips us with the resources needed to expedite our commercial progress,” Cloud continued. “We firmly believe that our biological agriculture products represent the most compelling and cost-effective solution for sequestering substantial volumes of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses from our atmosphere while revitalizing depleted soils.”

At the forefront of Biodel Ag’s business is the development of biological ingredients for the crop protection industry that are suitable for regenerative and certified organic growers. Its Sequester® product is a liquid, non-toxic biological soil amendment that is applied to depleted soils to restore function and the soil’s ability to capture CO2 from the atmosphere as a means of mitigating the effects of climate change. 

“We recognize the immense value of Biodel AG’s innovative regenerative agriculture solutions, which promise to rebuild the earth’s depleted soil and its biodiversity in order to reverse climate change,” said Janelle Goulard, partner, Pangaea Ventures. “Funding will enable Biodel AG to accelerate its transformative work, further solidifying the company’s role in building a sustainable future.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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