DEGCAE · DryGro: Efficient Growth of Crops in Arid Environments (DEGCAE)

DryGro is an agriculture technology company that has developed an innovative new way to grow animal feed crops using very little water. This method uses large, 20m x 200m closed environment growing units to grow a high-protein animal feed crop called lemna, and can replace traditional animal feed staples like soy meal and sunflower cake which are very environmentally damaging. DryGro growing units have a number of advantages to traditional feed growing. Units are placed above ground, and thus avoid the need to compete with traditional growing methods for use of high quality arable land in the production process. Using this method, animal feed protein can be grown at a market price cheaper than is currently available on the market today. Current testing indicates that this method reduces water consumption per gram of protein by over 99%. DryGro technology increases yield per hectare by around 8x compared to traditional protein ingredients like soy. The market for feed produced by this technology is valued at over $150bn per year. The key USPs of DryGro's technology are: 1) Ability to grow high-nutrient crops in areas otherwise unsuitable for agriculture; 2) 99% reduction in water consumption; 3) cost reduction of >50% per unit of output and 4) flexibility in choice of location, thus shortening supply chains and reducing costs. This feasibility study seeks to explore the technological and economic viability of expanding operations into three European target markets (Spain, Italy and Greece; selected as they face significant threats regarding aridity/desertification). It is hoped that the Phase 1 feasibility study will select the most suitable 1-2 markets of these countries, and underpin a Phase 2 application to enable DryGro to undertake trials in the target countries.