Entrepreneurship
Introduction
Throughout the development of our C.R.O.P.S project, we’ve been focused not just on the science behind it but also on the entrepreneurial journey of bringing it to market. By using tools like the Lean Business Canvas and strategic analyses such as 5Cs and SWOT, we were able to clearly define how our detection kit and biopesticide solutions create value for farmers and land managers dealing with clubroot.
We’ve taken part in numerous entrepreneurship programs, pitch competitions, and networking events, which have really helped us shape our business approach. These experiences taught us the importance of understanding our customers, refining our product for market readiness, and planning for future growth. Additionally, through interviews with industry experts and potential customers, we gained firsthand insights that further solidified our project's potential in the agricultural sector.
In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps we’ve taken in developing our project as a viable business model, highlighting the skills we’ve built, the achievements we’ve earned, and how we’re positioning C.R.O.P.S to have a real, positive impact on sustainable agriculture.
Value Propositions
A business canvas is a concise, visual tool that outlines the key aspects of a company’s business model, including its products, customer needs, and value propositions. It helps businesses focus on how they create value, address customer pain points, and deliver solutions. The lean business canvas, in particular, focuses on core elements like customer problems, solutions, and the resulting gains, allowing businesses to adapt and iterate their strategies quickly.
In this canvas, the C.R.O.P.S Detection Kit and Biopesticide target farmers and investors managing clubroot, a soil-borne disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae. The detection kit offers a fast, easy-to-use lateral flow assay for early disease identification, while the biopesticide provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution for long-term soil management. These products help improve soil health, crop yields, and reduce reliance on chemicals, while also addressing early detection challenges and offering risk management strategies for investors. Ultimately, the solutions aim to reduce crop loss, maintain land value, and provide sustainable disease management for agricultural stakeholders.
Products & services
This is a soil-based lateral flow assay (LFA) designed for early detection of Plasmodiophora brassicae, the pathogen responsible for clubroot disease. The key selling point is its simplicity and user-friendliness, allowing farmers and land managers to use it directly in the field for fast and accurate results. The early detection aspect enables timely interventions to prevent significant crop damage, which is crucial in maintaining crop yields and soil health.
Gain Creators
Improves productivity and soil health: The detection kit allows early intervention, which prevents large-scale crop damage, ensuring higher yields and healthier crops. The biopesticide supports soil health by using microorganisms that naturally integrate with the ecosystem, reducing the harmful impact of chemicals.
Gains
Early detection and solutions improve crop protection and yields: By detecting pathogens early, the C.R.O.P.S system allows for more effective management of the disease, preventing extensive crop losses. This directly correlates with improved crop yields and more secure and sustainable farming practices.
Customer Jobs
- Maximize crop yields and minimize losses due to diseases like clubroot: Farmers are looking for tools to protect their crops from diseases that cause substantial losses. The early detection and biopesticide solution ensure that crops remain productive throughout the season.
- Implement sustainable farming practices to improve soil health: With an increasing focus on sustainable agriculture, the biopesticide offers a chemical-free option that supports long-term soil fertility and health, aligning with modern environmental and farming standards.
- Comply with environmental regulations and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides: Governments and regulatory bodies often impose limits on chemical pesticide use, and farmers are motivated to find alternatives. The biopesticide offers a solution that helps them meet these requirements while protecting their crops.
- Efficiently detect and manage crop diseases with minimal disruption: The LFA detection kit offers a fast, field-friendly method to detect clubroot without requiring complex lab tests, making it easy for farmers to integrate into their daily routines.
Pains
Clubroot is a devastating crop disease, and detecting it in its early stages has been difficult. Without early detection, the disease can spread and cause widespread damage before being identified. The detection kit addresses this pain by allowing early, in-field detection.
Pain Relievers
Early detection reduces crop losses and land purchase risks: The detection kit helps farmers and investors catch the disease early, preventing costly crop failures and maintaining land productivity. This reduces the risk for potential buyers or investors worried about disease-infested land.
5C's Analysis
The 5C’s is composed of Customer, Company, Competitors, Collaborators and context. The 5C analysis is a strategic tool used to evaluate key elements influencing a company's performance and market environment.
Company
The Company focuses inward, evaluating the firms capabilities, resources, culture, and product offerings to ensure alignment with business goals. Our company’s strong focus in biotechnology and synthetic biology drives our innovation, particularly its dual focus on detection and biopesticide solutions for clubroot. This allows the company to offer integrated products that help farmers both identify and combat the disease. However, our limited experience in large-scale agriculture poses challenges in scaling and adapting to the needs of big farming operations. While technically strong, we must navigate these gaps to effectively compete with more established agricultural players.
Customer
The Customer aspect examines the target audience, their needs, buying behaviors, and preferences, helping us tailor our products and services. These customers such as farmers and agricultural organizations are increasingly seeking easy and cost-effective detection methods for crop diseases and pests to minimize losses and improve yield efficiency. With the growing prevalence of plant pathogens and pest outbreaks, quick, reliable detection solutions are essential to prevent widespread damage and reduce dependence on synthetic chemicals. Furthermore, there is a rising demand for sustainable biopesticides that not only control pests and diseases effectively but also minimize environmental impact. Farmers and organizations are looking for products that align with the growing market shift toward eco-friendly solutions, as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability in food production.
Competitors
Competitors are analyzed to understand the market landscape, identifying direct and indirect rivals, their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. Our focus is on two main groups: diagnostic kit developers and chemical pesticide companies. Diagnostic kit developers provide tools for detecting plant pathogens and pests, often focusing on precise, rapid, and early detection. These firms may offer a wide range of detection technologies, from lab-based testing to on-site kits, presenting competition in terms of product specificity and speed. On the other hand, chemical pesticide companies dominate the market by offering well-established, widely used solutions for pest and disease control. They have a strong presence due to the reliability and proven efficacy of synthetic pesticides, though they face growing criticism over environmental harm and resistance issues. Our company that combines both detection and mitigation—through a unique combination of easy-to-use diagnostic kits and sustainable biopesticides—stands out from the competition. This integration allows farmers to not only identify problems early but also address them using eco-friendly solutions, positioning the company as innovative and aligned with the trend toward sustainable agriculture.
Collaborators
Collaborators include suppliers, distributors, and partners who assist the company in delivering value, and their relationships are assessed for synergy and effectiveness. Through interviews with industry experts, we gained valuable insights into market needs and practical applications, helping refine its products. Academic support from iGEM as well as research institutions like the University of Lethbridge (UofL) provide crucial scientific backing and resources, strengthening the innovation process. Additionally, potential partnerships with seed companies and biotech firms offer opportunities for product development, distribution, and scaling, making these collaborations essential for market entry and growth.
Context
Context involves analyzing external factors such as economic conditions, regulatory environment, and technological trends that could impact the companys operations and strategies. Together, these components provide a comprehensive overview of the business environment, aiding in informed decision-making and strategic planning.several external factors shape the company’s environment. Governments are increasingly pushing for sustainable agriculture, encouraging the development of eco-friendly products like biopesticides to reduce reliance on harmful chemicals. At the same time, economic pressure to prevent crop losses drives demand for effective and affordable solutions like early detection kits to minimize damage from diseases such as clubroot. Additionally, there is growing awareness of environmental sustainability in farming, with consumers and industries alike seeking methods that protect ecosystems, creating a strong market for sustainable agricultural innovations.
SWOT Analysis
The figure presents a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, which is a strategic tool used to evaluate key aspects of a project or business venture. The analysis helps in understanding the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats that could impact the project's success.
Strengths
Strengths of our technology's innovation lies in its ability to offer a detection method that is approximately 4X cheaper than current market alternatives. It provides a robust and accessible solution that is portable, fast, and user-friendly, eliminating the need for external lab testing as users can perform the test independently. Much like a pregnancy test, the intuitive design ensures ease of use. Additionally, the technology has significant market expansion potential, as its components and underlying concept can be adapted to target other pathogens and crops, particularly crops within the Brassica family.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses of our technology include potential regulatory challenges, such as overcoming extensive safety and environmental standards, particularly in the development of biopesticide-like products. Initial and early scaling of the products may also present difficulties, as the product relies on expensive components like gold nanoparticles for the lateral flow assay design. Additionally, penetrating the market could be challenging due to skepticism around the use of biopesticide-like products. While these entrepreneurial challenges are significant particularly within its early stages, the technology holds strong potentiality and expansion.
Opportunities
Opportunities include integrating the device with AI platforms for predictive analytics, allowing farmers to forecast and pinpoint clubroot outbreaks, making the technology more versatile. Partnerships with agricultural institutions could provide resources, expand market reach, and support validation. The global need for clubroot detection, especially in regions and countries without adequate access to crop pathogen detection and mitigation, offers significant market expansion potential as well.
Threats
Threats include competition from advanced pathogen detection technologies that may challenge market share. Additionally, volatile canola markets, trends and evolving agricultural regulations could impact product approval and adoption, creating potential barriers to long-term success.
Interviews
Dr. Kim Kenwards | 20/20 Seed Labs
During our conversation with Dr. Kim Kenwards, we gained critical insights into how testing for Clubroot is currently conducted and the potential markets for our rapid detection kit. Kim suggested expanding our target market beyond just canola farmers, pointing to land reclaimers, oilfield workers, and land buyers as additional stakeholders who would benefit from a rapid detection tool. This insight opened our eyes to new customer segments, particularly those involved in land sales or reclamation, who need to ensure the soil is free of pathogens before proceeding with transactions or development projects.
Kim also emphasized the importance of ensuring that our detection kit could withstand extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, which farmers often face in the field. This practical recommendation led us to incorporate temperature stability testing into our product development process, ensuring that our detection kit could remain functional in various environments.
Hal Reed | Advanced AG
Hal Reed's feedback focused on the importance of making solutions both simple and economically viable for farmers. He stressed that while farmers are keen on adopting new technologies, those tools must be cost-effective and easy to use. This validated our strategy of creating a low-cost, user-friendly detection kit. Additionally, Hal emphasized the need for an actionable solution to follow the detection process, explaining that farmers need more than just diagnostic information—they require a clear mitigation plan. This reinforced our decision to pair our detection kit with a biopesticide, creating a comprehensive solution for Clubroot management.
Ethan Steele | Alltech Canada
Ethan Steele pointed out that farmers are often hesitant to acknowledge the presence of Clubroot in their fields due to the lack of effective solutions. His comments highlighted the need for our project to not only provide a rapid detection tool but also to offer farmers actionable steps once Clubroot is detected. Ethan also indicated that seed production companies would be interested in our detection kit to avoid Clubroot contamination in seed production fields, which are highly sensitive environments. This opened up another potential market for our product, extending its relevance beyond just farmers to include seed companies.
Sarah Rice | Strathcona County
Sarah Rice provided valuable insights into the role of county governments and agricultural branches in managing Clubroot outbreaks. She emphasized the need for rapid detection kits to aid in efficient decision-making regarding soil transport and land management. Sarah also recommended developing a detection kit that can identify specific strains of Clubroot, which would offer more precise mitigation options for farmers and land managers. This feedback underscored the importance of continuing to innovate and potentially expand our product offering in the future.
Jeff Crampton | Alltech Canada
In our interview with Jeff Crampton, he highlighted the value of partnering with agricultural retailers to scale up the distribution of our detection kit. He also shared that Alltech’s work with mitigating Clubroot in other brassica crops through biological products had shown promising results. This insight reaffirmed the potential of developing a biopesticide as part of our overall Clubroot management solution, complementing the detection kit with a biological approach to disease control.
Angela Veenstra | Sturgeon County
Angela Veenstra expressed a strong interest in our rapid detection kit, particularly because of its potential to reduce testing turnaround times for soil transport decisions. She explained that this rapid response could have significant advantages in managing land use and minimizing the spread of Clubroot. Angela also suggested that a future iteration of the detection kit could include the ability to identify specific Clubroot strains, which would be a valuable tool for counties managing large-scale outbreaks. This feedback confirmed that there is a demand for more advanced detection capabilities in the future.
Carter Bodell | Sturgeon Valley Fertilizers
Our conversation with Carter Bodell reinforced the importance of creating a low-cost detection kit, especially since many farmers are reluctant to invest in expensive tests for multiple fields. He explained that a more affordable solution would make farmers more likely to test their fields regularly, rather than ignoring potential Clubroot issues. Carter also noted that while detection is critical, the real market opportunity lies in offering new, sustainable mitigation methods. This validated our dual approach of developing both the ProSpore detection kit and a potential biopesticide to address Clubroot comprehensively.
Takeaways
Through our interviews with industry experts, researchers, and potential customers, we were able to gather critical insights that helped shape our approach to both the detection and mitigation aspects of the C.R.O.P.S project. These conversations highlighted the importance of making our detection kit affordable, user-friendly, and durable under real-world conditions. We also learned about new potential markets beyond just canola farmers, such as land reclaimers, counties, and seed companies, which expanded our understanding of who would benefit from our product.
The feedback we received underscored the need for more than just detection—farmers and other stakeholders need a clear action plan once Clubroot is identified. This reinforced our focus on developing a comprehensive solution that includes both rapid detection and sustainable mitigation strategies, like a potential biopesticide.
These interviews played a key role in validating our product’s relevance in the market and helped us refine our approach to ensure that we’re addressing the practical needs of the agricultural community. By actively engaging with industry leaders, we’re confident that our project is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact in the fight against Clubroot.
Competitor Analysis | C.R.O.P.S Biopesticide
A competitor analysis is a strategic process used by businesses to identify and evaluate their competitors. It involves comparing products or services based on key factors such as effectiveness, sustainability, market position, strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks. By understanding the competitive landscape, companies can identify gaps in the market, assess their own performance relative to others, and find opportunities to differentiate their products or services. In agriculture, this analysis helps evaluate which solutions provide the most value in terms of crop protection, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability.
In the provided figure, a competitor analysis is conducted between three agricultural solutions for managing diseases like clubroot: Genetically Resistant Seeds, Crop Rotation with Non-Host Crops, and Chemical Pesticides, and our own C.R.O.P.S Biopesticide. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Effectiveness
Genetically Resistant Seeds are highly effective but may only target specific strains of pathogens, meaning they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution.
Sustainability
Genetically Resistant Seeds offer moderate sustainability but carry the risk of resistance development in pathogens over time.
Low Environmental Impact
Genetically Resistant Seeds pose a moderate risk, as gene flow to wild species can occur, potentially affecting biodiversity.
Won’t Develop Resistance
Genetically Resistant Seeds may still face the risk of pathogens evolving resistance over time.
Long Lasting Effects
Genetically Resistant Seeds offer variable long-term effects, as their effectiveness can decrease if pathogens evolve.
Competitor Analysis | C.R.O.P.S Detection Kit
This figure presents a competitor analysis comparing two pathogen detection methods: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and our C.R.O.P.S Detection Kit. The analysis highlights key differences in terms of cost, time, portability, equipment, ease of use, sustainability, and environmental impact. This allows us to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each method and how our detection kit provides significant advantages for agricultural applications.
Cost
At $95 per test, PCR is significantly more expensive than the C.R.O.P.S kit. The high cost of PCR can be a limiting factor, especially for frequent testing or large-scale operations.
Time
Testing with PCR typically takes 2-3 weeks due to lab processing times, which can delay intervention and decision-making.
Portability
PCR requires samples to be sent to a lab for processing, making it unsuitable for in-field testing.
Equipment Needed
Requires specialized equipment, such as a thermocycler, which adds complexity and limits accessibility to labs or trained personnel.
Ease of Use
The PCR method is technical and requires trained personnel to conduct the test and analyze the results, which limits its use to specialized environments.
Sustainability
Low sustainability due to the energy consumption of the thermocycler and the use of lab materials, making it less environmentally friendly.
Environmental Impact
Moderate environmental impact due to the need for energy-intensive equipment and the generation of lab waste.
PESTLE Analysis
PEST/PESTLE analysis is a strategic framework used to evaluate external factors that can impact a business or project. The acronym stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors, each representing a category of influences that can shape the operational landscape. By systematically examining these elements, we can identify potential opportunities and threats in their market environment. In the context of the C.R.O.P.S. project, conducting a PEST/PESTLE analysis enables us to gain insights into government policies that support sustainable agriculture, economic trends affecting canola oil demand, social attitudes towards new technologies, and emerging legal and environmental regulations. This comprehensive understanding allows us to make informed decisions regarding product development, market entry strategies, and partnership opportunities. Ultimately, leveraging PEST/PESTLE analysis would help us to navigate complexities in the agricultural biotechnology landscape, enhancing our ability to adapt to changing conditions and increasing the chances of our project's success.
Political
The Canadian government's Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year (2023-2028) $3.5 billion investment, supports the innovation, growth, and sustainability of the agriculture sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs across federal, provincial, and territorial governments. These incentives could provide financial support for the C.R.O.P.S. project, especially given its focus on sustainable agricultural practices. However, strict regulatory approval processes for biopesticides remain a significant barrier to market entry on the mitigation side.
Economic
The rising demand for canola oil, driven by its use in renewable biodiesel and by it's role as a healthy alternative in cooking oil, presents opportunities for growth. However, falling diesel and crude oil prices, as projected in 2024, could negatively impact the market for canola oil, potentially reducing the demand for related products. Additionally, while agrologists recommend a 1 in 4-year crop rotation to reduce clubroot risk, economic pressures push farmers towards shorter 1 in 2-year cycles, increasing the prevalence of clubroot and raising the demand for disease detection and management solutions like C.R.O.P.S.
Social
Adoption of new agricultural technologies may face resistance, particularly in communities where traditional values often shape investment decisions in crop technologies. In developing countries, small-scale farms operating in underdeveloped market economies may favor current and traditional methods, limiting international adoption and accessibility. However, these small-scale farmers also represent untapped market opportunities and potential avenues for growth. Additionally, skepticism surrounding biopesticides, driven by concerns about environmental impacts and safety, could slow market penetration. Proactive community engagement and educational efforts will be key to overcoming these challenges and improving social acceptance of our products.
Technological
Technological advancements in clubroot-resistant canola hybrids present both competition and an opportunity for collaboration. Many companies focus on genetic solutions, such as creating seeds that are resistant to clubroot, rather than directly addressing the pathogen. Currently, no chemical treatment exists to directly mitigate clubroot infection in the soil, making biopesticide-like products like C.R.O.P.S. a unique alternative.
Legal
C.R.O.P.S. must comply with stringent regulations from multiple Canadian authorities, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Health Canada. These regulations are designed to address innovation bottlenecks while ensuring safety and compliance. Additionally, securing intellectual property rights through patents will be crucial for protecting the product and ensuring market competitiveness.
Environmental
Environmental factors such as temperature, soil moisture, and pH levels significantly influence the development and distribution of clubroot in canola and brassica crops. Climate change, particularly fluctuating weather patterns, can further exacerbate these conditions. By incorporating these environmental variables into the product's detection capabilities, C.R.O.P.S. could improve its effectiveness and appeal to farmers looking for sustainable pathogen management solutions.
Team Achievements and Entrepreneurship Growth
Throughout our C.R.O.P.S project, we’ve actively pursued opportunities to enhance our entrepreneurial skills and build a solid foundation for the commercialization of our project. From attending intellectual property workshops to competing in pitch competitions, we’ve consistently focused on learning how to protect, market, and scale our ideas. Engaging with industry leaders at events like the AG Expo and participating in entrepreneurship programs such as Agility Trailblazing and the THRIVE Studio Sprint helped us gain practical knowledge and refine our business strategies. These experiences not only sharpened our business knowledge but also deepened our understanding of how to navigate the complex landscape of agricultural technology.
Cover Your ASSets
January - February 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
Our team engaged in the "Cover Your ASSets" series on intellectual property (IP), a vital aspect of entrepreneurship. Led by Dr. Suzanne Sjovold, the sessions emphasized the importance of protecting our innovations through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Understanding these elements is crucial for safeguarding business ideas as we navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
AG Expo & North American Seed Fair
February 27-29, 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
At this key agricultural event, we networked with industry leaders like Corteva and Alltech Canada. Engaging in discussions about Clubroot management and pitching our project provided us with critical feedback, refining our entrepreneurial approach and enhancing our market readiness.
Agility Trailblazing
February - March 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
Participating in the "Trailblazing" entrepreneurship course equipped us with essential skills such as competitive analysis, customer identification, and creating a pitch deck. This hands-on training prepared us for pitching our business concepts effectively, setting the stage for future opportunities.
Launch Point Pitch Competition
March 15, 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
Securing 3rd place in the Launch Point Pitch Competition validated our business concept and showcased our refined pitch skills. This competition was not just a platform to present but also a significant step in establishing our credibility as entrepreneurs, with prize money to further our project development.
InVentures
March 15, 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
Our application for Inventures 2024 highlighted our entrepreneurial journey and past pitch experiences. The application process had a profound impact on our entrepreneurial development. It encouraged the team to thoroughly articulate our vision, mission, and business strategy, enhancing our understanding of the market landscape and the specific challenges farmers face with clubroot disease.
Crafting a compelling application required the team to refine our pitch and clearly define our value proposition. This process helped us identify our unique selling points and articulate how our rapid detection kit stands out in the AgTech sector.
Overall, the application process not only sharpened our business plan but also strengthened our dedication to bringing our innovative solution to market, along with deepening our understanding of market dynamics and the importance of clearly articulating our value proposition to potential investors and collaborators.
Mindfuel Skills Building Workshop
March 2-3, 2024 | Calgary, AB
The workshops hosted by MindFuel provided us with practical skills relevant to both our scientific and entrepreneurial endeavors. Learning from industry experts equipped us with the tools needed to navigate the startup landscape effectively and how to communicate with early adopters of our technology.
Mindfuel Prototype Challenge
May 25-26, 2024 | Calgary, AB
Our iGEM team's participation in the Mindfuel Tech Futures Challenge was a pivotal moment in our entrepreneurial journey. This challenge allowed us to showcase our projects in a competitive setting. The challenge provided a platform for us to present our project, demonstrating our commitment to addressing real-world problems.
The feedback from judges was invaluable. They provided insights that went beyond technical aspects, challenging us to think critically about market needs, customer wants, and scalability.
Winning the Best Prototype Award for Collegiate teams not only recognized our innovation but also enhanced our ability to present our ideas convincingly—an essential skill for any entrepreneur. This recognition boosted our confidence in our project and pushed us to work toward creating a viable product for our project. The event also encouraged us to reach out to more stakeholders to understand what a viable product would need for real-world applications.
Thrive Studio Sprint
May-June 2024 | Lethbridge, AB
Selected from 75 applicants, our team participated in the THRIVE Studio Sprint, which focused on validating our business ideas and developing a minimum viable product (MVP). This intense program provided invaluable insights and connections, essential for early-stage entrepreneurs.
AsTech Awards Dinner
September 27, 2024 | Calgary, AB
Attending the ASTech Awards allowed us to network with leaders in science and technology while showcasing our project. This exposure to innovative ideas and entrepreneurial stories inspired us to continue refining our approach and seeking collaboration opportunities.
These events have collectively strengthened our entrepreneurial skills, provided critical-thinking opportunities, and equipped us with the knowledge necessary to advance our entrepreneurship and business aspirations.
Takeaways
Through a series of workshops, competitions, and networking opportunities, we’ve developed key entrepreneurial skills that have equipped us to take our project further. Our participation in events like the Launch Point Pitch Competition and the Mindfuel Prototype Challenge validated our business concepts and gave us the confidence to present our ideas to potential investors. Looking ahead, if we were to continue this project, the next steps would include finalizing our Minimum Viable Product (MVP), exploring patent options, and expanding our network of collaborators. These experiences have been invaluable in preparing us to not only bring our innovation to market but also to make a meaningful impact in the agricultural industry.
Project Roadmap
Our roadmap outlines the entire development process for our soil detection kit, from identifying the problem to commercializing the product for use in the field. Each step is to ensure that the detection kit is not only scientifically accurate but also practical and accessible for farmers and other early adopters.
Problem Identification
We started by assessing the current limitations in detecting Plasmodiophora brassicae, the pathogen that causes clubroot. By talking to agricultural experts and searching through literature, we were able to define specific detection requirements, focusing on early identification and usability in the field. This helped us pinpoint the gaps in existing methods and set clear goals for our detection kit.
Initial Development
Next, we moved on to the early development phase, where we selected key target proteins, like PbEl04, for our lateral flow assay (LFA). This protein is specific to the pathogen, which allows for targeted detection. Our goal at this stage was to design a simple and user-friendly test that could be used directly in the field by farmers and land managers without needing specialized equipment.
Prototype Development
With the design in place, we built our first prototype by selecting antibodies that would bind specifically to the pathogen. In the lab, we ran tests to confirm that these antibodies can bind to our target protein PbEl04. This phase was crucial for proof-of-concept; ensuring the basic functionality of the detection kit before moving to more complex testing.
Optimization & Refinement
After validating the prototype, we created more specific antibodies that could bind better to our target protein. We wanted to make sure the kit could reliably and specifically detect the pathogen since we expect that there are going to be various things that may be able to bind to them in the soil matrix.
Field Testing & Validation
Once optimized, we would like to test the detection kit in real agricultural environments. This field testing will allow us to validate its accuracy in diverse soil conditions and ensure that it worked outside the lab. We also want to gather feedback from users to refine the kit further, ensuring that it’s practical for farmers and others to use in their day-to-day operations.
Final Prototype & Regulatory Approvals
Based on field testing feedback, we will finalize the design of the detection kit and start the process of obtaining regulatory approvals. This step is essential for ensuring that the product meets all safety and efficacy standards before it can be commercialized. We would work with the relevant authorities to make sure the kit complies with industry standards for agricultural products.
Commercialization
Finally, we would develop a go-to-market strategy. Securing partnerships with distributors and begin scaling up production. Our commercialization efforts should focus on ensuring that the detection kit is widely available, cost-effective, and easy to use, making it a valuable tool for farmers who need fast and reliable pathogen detection to protect their crops.
Sustainability Impact Analysis
The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) is a framework that allows us to measure the sustainability of our project in three key areas: People, Profit, and Planet. This approach ensures that we are not only focused on financial success but also on creating positive social and environmental impacts. By balancing these three aspects, we aim to develop solutions that are beneficial in the long run for both society and the environment.
People (Social Impact)
- Education and Awareness: Our project is rooted in education, both within our team and through community outreach. We aim to increase our understanding of synthetic biology and its real-world applications, particularly in agriculture. Through workshops, presentations, and open discussions, we’re helping students and the community engage with science in a way that’s practical and relevant to everyday challenges like crop disease.
- Collaboration: Our team is made up of students from different disciplines and backgrounds, which fosters a collaborative learning environment. We’re learning from each other and from experts, building skills that will help us work better together and create more effective solutions. This diversity of thought promotes teamwork and helps us think creatively when tackling complex problems like Clubroot detection.
Profit (Economic Viability)
- Market-Relevant Product: Our detection kit is a practical, field-friendly solution for farmers dealing with Clubroot. By allowing early detection, it can help farmers minimize crop losses, which can have a direct positive impact on their profitability. While the economic benefit might not be immediate or large-scale, it’s a small but meaningful step towards reducing the financial burden caused by crop disease. Along with being practical, our kit is also much more affordable than our competitors, which opens the market for our product greatly.
- Cost-Effective Development: By focusing on the detection kit rather than jumping straight to biopesticide development, we’re creating a product that’s less resource-intensive and easier to bring to market. This approach allows us to produce a solution that is more financially accessible to farmers, especially smaller-scale operations.
- Opportunities for Growth: Participating in entrepreneurship competitions and seeking funding allows us to gain financial support to further refine and potentially scale our detection kit. This not only sustains our current project but also opens the door for future innovations and partnerships.
Planet (Environmental Impact)
- Low-Waste Product: One of our key goals is to ensure that our detection kit is reusable or involves minimal waste, especially compared to traditional single-use tests. This small step helps reduce the environmental footprint associated with agricultural testing and aligns with broader efforts to promote sustainability in farming.
- Environmentally Friendly Approach: While we haven’t developed the biopesticide yet, we’re still contributing to the environment by offering a solution that helps farmers manage disease with fewer inputs. Early detection allows farmers to address issues before they escalate, potentially reducing the need for widespread chemical interventions that can harm ecosystems.
Conclusion
While we’ve made significant progress in developing C.R.O.P.S and understanding the market, we’re aware that this project may not move forward beyond the iGEM competition. However, if we were to take this further, the next logical steps would involve creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test our detection kit in real-world conditions. This would help ensure that it’s practical, reliable, and accessible for farmers and land managers. Alongside this, initiating patent searches would be essential to protect our innovations and give us a competitive edge in the agricultural market.
By focusing on securing intellectual property and developing a refined MVP, we would be in a position to explore partnerships, scale production, and ultimately bring our solution to market. These steps would allow us to continue advancing the project, helping to provide an eco-friendly, sustainable solution for managing Clubroot. Although we may not pursue this path ourselves, we believe C.R.O.P.S has the potential to make a meaningful impact in agriculture if carried forward.