Soil management is one of the great challenges of contemporary agriculture. Facing this dilemma, a team of researchers from INTA and Conicet developed Biopellet, a pelletized biofertilizer that promotes regenerative agriculture, made from local compost under a circular economy model.
It is a practical, economical solution with great potential to improve soil fertility, with direct benefits for producers in Cuyo and other regions of the country.
A field-validated biofertilizer
The product was validated in field trials with crops such as tomatoes, vines, forage, and vegetables. Its composition includes:
- Organic matter.
- Essential nutrients.
- Beneficial microorganisms for soil quality.
Consequently, Biopellet improves soil structure, nutrient availability, and crop productivity.
“With Biopellet, we aim to respond to a specific demand: improving soil fertility without resorting to raw manure and with a more accessible alternative than chemical fertilizers,” said Luis Bueno, a researcher at INTA San Juan.
The pelletized format: a revolution in management
This format facilitates transport, storage, and application, ensuring a homogeneous distribution in the field.
“The pelletized format revolutionizes management: it is more practical for the producer and ensures homogeneous distribution in the field. Moreover, its format facilitates transport, storage, and application, with advantages over other bio-inputs,” highlighted Emanuel Ontivero, a biologist from Conicet and INTA.
Circular economy and low cost
The impact of the development goes beyond the agricultural plot. Biopellet is made with agro-industrial waste from the San Juan Environmental Technology Park, promoting the circular economy and turning an environmental liability into a strategic input.
“Our goal is to transform a liability into a strategic input for production, generating local employment and boosting the competitiveness of producers,” emphasized Carlos Núñez, an economist involved in the project.
Market potential and scalability
According to INTA estimates, the initial market for Biopellet in Cuyo covers more than 345,000 hectares with immediate adoption potential.
The project aims to scale up production through a high-capacity plant that can supply both local producers and regional and international markets.
Science applied to production
Biopellet reflects the role of INTA in linking science and production, offering practical solutions that strengthen the agriculture of the future.
“This development reflects the role of INTA in linking science and production, offering practical solutions that strengthen the agriculture of the future,” concluded Bueno.
Biopellet is more than a fertilizer: it is a triple-impact innovation that improves soil fertility, promotes the circular economy, and generates social and economic benefits for producers. Its potential for immediate adoption and scalability makes it a key tool for advancing towards regenerative and sustainable agriculture in Argentina and beyond.
