Soil salinity is a global issue threatening land productivity, and estimates predict that 50% of all arable land will become impacted by salinity by 2050. Consequently, it is important to have a fundamental understanding of crop response to salinity to minimize economic loss and improve food security. Salicrop,  is an Israeli start-up company that has developed a seed priming technology that stimulates a specific epi-genetic reaction and allows the crop to grow in soil with high salinity conditions at seed stages.

 

During the year 2019 – 2020 Salicrop has conducted Paddy field trials in 9 separate fields, in 3 different Indian villages within a 10 Km radius in East Godavari District in Southern India. The area is known for its saline soil due to nearby fisheries and ponds. The trial was conducted by NITSAN sustainable development lab at Tel Aviv University in Israel, and Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (powered by Tata Trusts) in India. The results show a 13% grain yield & +15% productive tillers.

 

The massive population increase and substantial income growth demand an extra about 2.5 million tons of food grains annually and around 310 million tons of food grains during 2030 to feed around 1.43 billion people, and the requirement expectedly would further increase to 350 million tons by 2050 when India’s population would be around 1.8 billion.

 

Salicrop is committed to continuing research and development efforts in collaboration with Indian seed companies. Please get in touch if you are a seed company and would like to explore Salicrop’s technology.

 

For more information please contact : Yogita.Kale@israeltrade.gov.il