DorgerSeed

Vietnam is home to approximately 7 million hectares of rice fields, requiring approximately 760,000 tons of seeds annually. Globally, rice cultivation covers about 160 million hectares, with over 16 million tons of seeds used worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts that the rice cultivation area will continue to expand in the future.

Regrettably, a significant number of farmers and seed production companies face losses due to challenges related to seed processing and vulnerability to rainfall during sowing. In fact, 86% of farmers and 75% of seed production companies have experienced such setbacks. It's not just rice farmers who are affected; climate change has also impacted other farmers, leading to damaged sprouted seeds. Furthermore, the changing precipitation patterns resulting from climate change have worsened the limitations of traditional farming methods in adapting to unpredictable weather conditions.

In light of these pressing issues, our objective is to explore a new and innovative seed treatment method that can effectively mitigate the risks associated with climate change. By developing such a method, we aim to enhance the resilience of seeds and improve their ability to withstand adverse climatic conditions.

Through our research and development efforts, we seek to equip farmers with effective tools and techniques that enhance the sustainability and productivity of farming practices in Vietnam and beyond. By addressing the challenges posed by climate change and optimizing seed processing methods, we hope to contribute to the long-term success and stability of the agricultural industry. Our ultimate goal is to ensure food security, promote economic growth, and mitigate the impact of climate change on farming communities.

We have developed an innovative technique that facilitates rapid seed germination and enables adaptability to changing weather conditions. Our method significantly reduces the germination period, saving farmers 3-5 days in the planting process. Compared to fresh seeds, DorGer Seeds exhibit physical durability, higher impact resistance, and are less susceptible to damage.

The process begins by awakening and sprouting the seeds. Subsequently, the germinated seeds undergo several stages of processing, which induce dormancy. This unique process is patented, and we have already filed patent applications in Vietnam.

Following treatment with DorGer Seed, the seeds enter a dry state. An exceptional property of these treated seeds is their ability to swiftly regain their original germination state when immersed in water for just 30 minutes. This remarkable characteristic allows the seeds to resume their development into healthy seedlings.

The DorGer Seed technique offers substantial advantages to farmers. By accelerating germination, it provides a head start to crops, enhancing their growth potential and overall yield. Additionally, the durability and resilience of DorGer Seeds make them more resilient to adverse conditions, reducing the risk of seed damage during planting and ensuring a higher success rate for farmers.

Our team is dedicated to further refining and optimizing the DorGer Seed technique, continuously seeking to improve seed performance and contribute to sustainable agriculture. By equipping farmers with this advanced seed treatment, we aim to enhance productivity, mitigate weather-related risks, and promote food security in the face of changing climate conditions.

Our solution directly impacts the lives of farmers who are actively engaged in agricultural production. This solution emerged from our own experiences as founders of an agricultural startup that faced significant failures due to the severe impacts of climate change. In 2018, heavy and incessant rainfall in northern Vietnam resulted in continuous seed damage after sowing. The losses we incurred were immense.

We recognized that numerous farmers worldwide are facing similar challenges due to changing rainfall patterns. Our simple solution aims to help farmers not only in Vietnam but across the globe mitigate risks in agricultural production.

By developing our innovative seed treatment method, we aim to provide farmers with a reliable tool to combat the adverse effects of unpredictable weather conditions. This solution has the potential to reduce the vulnerability of seeds to rainfall and other climate-related factors. As a result, farmers can enhance their chances of successful crop establishment and reduce the financial losses associated with seed damage.

We understand the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security and supporting livelihoods. Our solution is designed to empower farmers, enabling them to overcome climate-related obstacles and achieve greater resilience in their agricultural practices. By minimizing the risks and uncertainties associated with climate change, we aim to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of farmers not only in Vietnam but globally.

Our team consists of three individuals. I, Dao Thi Hong Quyen, lead the team. I am a biology teacher and also have a background in agriculture, responsible for research and development. We understand the value of this initiative and are determined to pursue it and bring it to the community, even without immediate profits.

Our team comprises three members: myself (Quyen) as co-founder, leading and overseeing the research and development aspect. Mr. Truong, another co-founder, is responsible for agricultural technical aspects. Ms. Ha, the third member of our team, focuses on community development.

Together, we bring a diverse set of skills and expertise to ensure the success and impact of our initiative. With my background in biology and agriculture, Mr. Truong's technical knowledge in agriculture, and Ms. Ha's dedication to community development, we are well-equipped to address the challenges and make a positive difference in the lives of farmers and communities. Our shared commitment and complementary skills enable us to work cohesively towards our goals.

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We are a social impact startup group that helps farmers reduce the impact of climate change through the Dorger seed technology initiative.

We have faced numerous challenges, ranging from funding and networking to our business model. We are currently conducting research, experimenting, and engaging with communities. This involves a significant amount of work, especially considering our lack of skills and experience.

However, we fully understand the value of this solution, and we aspire to bring it to farmers worldwide, not only those cultivating rice but also other types of crops.

By participating in Solver, we hope to receive support and funding for research, develop an appropriate business model, and bring this innovation to farmers globally.

Our DorgerSeed solution offers a range of unique advantages that make it a valuable tool for farmers. Firstly, it ensures high seed quality, with a remarkable germination rate. This means that a larger proportion of seeds will successfully sprout, leading to higher crop yields.

Additionally, DorgerSeed boasts higher tensile strength compared to regular germinated seeds. This increased strength enhances the resilience of the seed during handling and planting, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring better establishment of the crop.

In terms of the agricultural process, DorgerSeed eliminates the need for soaking. This not only saves time but also simplifies the seed preparation stage. Producers can now skip the traditional soaking process, reducing their seed preparation and sowing time from an average of 5 days to zero. As a result, they can quickly deploy their crops and seize optimal planting windows, even in the face of unfavorable weather conditions. This adaptability is crucial in the context of climate change, as it allows farmers to mitigate risks and maximize their chances of success.

Furthermore, DorgerSeed seamlessly integrates with existing seed production technology. This compatibility enables farmers to adopt the solution without significant modifications or disruptions to their existing processes. It provides a smooth transition and facilitates widespread adoption.

Lastly, DorgerSeed offers an extended storage time of up to 12 months. This feature allows farmers to stockpile seeds for longer periods without compromising their quality or viability. It provides flexibility in planning and reduces the risk of seed scarcity, particularly in areas with limited access to fresh seeds.

In summary, the unique properties of DorgerSeed, including its high seed quality, time-saving advantages, adaptability to climate change, compatibility with existing technology, and extended storage time, make it a valuable and practical solution for farmers seeking improved yields and reduced risks.

Currently, we have successfully conducted trials on over 100 hectares in northern Vietnam. In the coming year, we plan to expand our initiative to central and southern Vietnam, further testing its effectiveness in different regions of the country.

Over the next five years, our goal is to scale up our operations to encompass the Southeast Asia region, including countries like India and others. To achieve this, we are actively seeking entrepreneurship programs that support social impact ventures. We aim to secure funding, access to experts, and a robust network that will help us realize our expansion objectives. Being a part of MIT Solver would be especially beneficial in this regard.

We believe that by leveraging these resources and partnerships, we can successfully implement our initiative in new territories, empowering farmers and making a positive impact on agricultural practices. Our long-term vision is to reach a broader international audience and contribute to sustainable farming practices globally.