Heliae Development LLC, a food and ag tech company based in Gilbert, AZ, has partnered with Agricola Cerro Prieto, a global sustainable agriculture company farming more than 4,500 hectares in northern Peru on an initiative to combat and reverse negative effects on crops and soil from climate change, water scarcity and distressed soil conditions. The collaboration partnership was structured by Afina International, Heliae’s international business development partner.
Under the terms of the agreement, Heliae is providing ACP with a team of dedicated soil microbiologists, access to its state-of-the-art research and development capabilities, and on-ground training and support. Heliae will work closely with ACP’s team of agronomists to assist with their sustainability needs in Peru.
“The problem is this: our sandy soils tend to allow water to percolate and drain rapidly, which is costly and wasteful,” said Alfredo Lira Chirif, general manager of ACP. “Working with experts at Heliae, we believe we can take material steps forward to optimize our water use, increase the productive land area and create a sustainable advantage across all our crops.”
Eric Lichtenheld, president and CEO of Heliae, added, “Collaborating with ACP at this critical time, allows us to demonstrate improved water sustainability at massive scale. Our shared vision in regenerative agriculture allows for the ideal pairing to make advances in water sustainability. This trial will assist us in gaining a much-needed understanding of how we can benefit soil sustainability issues.”
Benjamin Leavenworth, Afina’s chief strategy officer, referred to the partnership as “emblematic of the powerful advances towards food security, water conservation and ecological farming which can be made when forward looking partners collaborate – a central tenet of Afina’s mission.”
The launch of the partnership follows the completion of the first phase of the 100-acre trial using Heliae’s PhycoTerra product, which was announced in November. The partnership advances the development of next generation knowledge to address ACP’s sustainability goals specific to its soil.
