Combat land subsidence by enabling wetland cultivation with LTO Noord

Pilot contract, access to the Rotterdam Unlocked network and customers Deadline passed

Get in the Ring and LTO Noord are looking for your innovative solution to fight the subsidence of peatlands. Subsidence is a worldwide problem in both rural and urban areas. In the Netherlands alone the costs as a result of subsidence have been estimated to be over 16 billion euros. We’re looking for innovative technologies to make wetland cultivation economically viable or to prevent land subsidence in general.

 

LTO is the organization of and for agricultural entrepreneurs. With more than 25.000 members, LTO Noord is active in 9 provinces and collaborates with entrepreneurs to foster development and innovation. With its enormous network and proactive stance, LTO links its members, the government, society, and the business community; supporting the collective and individual interests of agricultural entrepreneurs. LTO Noord has set course for 2025, over the next 7 years they aim to reduce subsidence by at least 50%.

 

At the moment, to make peatland suitable for agriculture, the land is drained. Draining peatland lowers its groundwater level, exposing the soil to oxygen. This exposure causes oxidation and subsequently leads to peat caving in.

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges

THE CHALLENGE

One of the main solutions to the subsidence of peatland is making use of wetland cultivation. Using this method of cultivation, peatlands can be used for agricultural purposes without lowering groundwater levels. However, there are a few barriers stopping wetland cultivation from being economically viable and sustainable. To overcome these barriers, we are looking for solutions in:

MOIST RESISTANT CROPS

Many crops are not capable of handling the moist conditions of wetland cultivation in peatlands. To make this method of cultivation more attractive, more moist resistant crops need to be developed for example through genetic engineering.

LIGHTWEIGHT FARMING TOOLS

Like A.I. powered agricultural robots. New lightweight tools for the cultivation on wet peatlands are needed. Over the years, the current machinery used to cultivate crops have gotten larger and heavier. These machines are too heavy for wetlands and will sink into the ground.

ANY OTHER INNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES

Wetland cultivation is just one of the solutions to the subsidence of agricultural peatlands. However, there are other solutions out there, for example deep drainage technologies. We're open for other innovative technologies to tackle land subsidence.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

  • Pilot contract with LTO NOORD or one of its members

  • Access to the LTO NOORD network and customers

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

Your solution should be

  • Past a working prototype

  • Realizable as a usable product or service within the next 2 years

TIMELINE

JANUARY 16

DEADLINE APPLICATIONS


The deadline for applications is January 16
END OF JANUARY

ANNOUNCEMENT SELECTED STARTUPS


End of January we announce the selected startups
FEBRUARY 18-20

ROTTERDAM UNLOCKED EVENT


Selected startups will be invited for one-on-one business meetings during the event from 18th till 20th of February in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
END OF FEBRUARY

PILOT PHASE


The most relevant startup(s) will enter into the pilot phase from end of February onwards.
Deadline passed

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges