FFAR-OCP Disruptive Fertilizer Technology Fellows Program
Applications are under review
FFAR-OCP Disruptive Fertilizer Technology Fellowship Program Cohort
Dr. Utsav Shashvatt
University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Utsav Shashvatt, a postdoctoral researcher in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), was awarded $74,997 through the FFAR-OCP Fellowship, which was matched by an additional $16,109 from UC Berkeley, for a total award of $91,106 to recover nutrients in human waste to form two types of high value fertilizers, controlled release and liquid, to offset the use of conventional fertilizers. The increased use of waste-derived fertilizers will help reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers, which are generated using non-renewable resources.
Dr. Kanwardeep S. Rawale
Biotech Naturale
Dr. Kanwardeep S. Rawale of Biotech Naturale was awarded $75,000 to improve the biofertilizer use efficiency of wheat by identifying and transferring genes from wild wheat using their novel method of targeted alien gene transfer. Biofertilizers are preparations containing living microorganisms that promote growth by improving nutrient acquisition when applied to plants. Modern wheat cultivars are bred to be responsive to synthetic nitrogen application, while their wild relatives are a repository of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, including value-added traits, such as improved biofertilizer use efficiency. This project has significant potential to transform biofertilizers into efficient chemical fertilizer alternatives for producers.
Dr. Maarten Everaert
KU Leuven
Dr. Maarten Everaert, assistant professor, KU Leuven Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, was awarded $75,000 to assist sub-Saharan African small-scale farmers increase their limited access to phosphorus fertilizers through an innovative approach of phosphorus recycling using locally available resources. By improving their phosphorus-depleted soils, this project will help these farmers to safeguard their agricultural productivity to meet local food demands, while also supporting limited use of external inputs, soil regeneration, wastewater treatment and minimal environmental impact.