Lavie Bio, a subsidiary of Evogene, is a biological agriculture company that strives to bring innovation to the global food industry. The company specializes in developing products based on microbiome, bacteria found in the plant’s natural growth environment, to help improve the yield, quality and sustainability of crops.
The company’s recent product makes it possible to significantly increase the wheat crop thanks to a coating for the wheat seeds, which helps plants optimally receive nutrients from the soil such as phosphorus, sulfur and iron and thus increase crops.
The product was launched this year for the first time in North Dakota after extensive field trials which lasted for four years. Trials showed that using this product can contribute to an increase of about 3-4 bushels (90-120 kg) of crop per acre (1 acre = 4 dunam).
Ofer Habib, CEO of Evogene, stated that it’s urgent to quickly advance the transition from low-tech agriculture to agriculture based on advanced technologies, which will lead to increased yields and improved durability alongside a reduction in costs while emphasizing sustainability.
Biotechnology companies are leading this trend through innovative and knowledge-rich products which support both farmers’ and environmental needs. He adds that solutions are needed to major challenges facing the global agriculture industry and humanity within the next few years.
