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Agra Middle East
6 - 7 October 2025
Halls 3 & 4, Dubai World Trade CentreDubai, UAE

Actinobacteria (DryShield: Seed Bio-Coating)

Profile

In order to increase crop resilience in arid and water-scarce areas, our project is developing a novel bio-coating technology. Our goal is to enhance seed germination, plant growth, and drought tolerance by utilising stress-tolerant actinobacteria isolated from Morocco's arid soils.

These native microbial strains, particularly those of the Streptomyces genus, have demonstrated strong plant growth-promoting qualities. In addition to generating phytohormones that stimulate root development and support plant stress adaptation, they can solubilise nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

The core of our solution is straightforward yet effective: applying specific microbial consortia to seeds. Once applied, these coatings act as organic fertilisers, helping crops better utilise water, develop more robust roots, and sustain productivity even during dry spells.

Because it is inexpensive, scalable, and eco-friendly, this method provides farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers and over-irrigation. In regions most affected by climate change, our work directly supports food security and regenerative agriculture by promoting crop establishment and soil health.

Although the project is still in its early stages, our long-term goal is to grow into a business that provides farmers in Morocco, North Africa, and the wider MENAT region with accessible, scientifically based bio-inputs. We see this as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping farmers restore degraded soils, reduce water use, and increase yields.

Through collaborations, field validation, and support systems, we are laying the groundwork for a future enterprise that transforms innovation into practical drought-resilience solutions.