Published on: 2026-08-25
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 25, 2026 Climate and Environment
A new generation of entrepreneurs around the world – from Ecuador to Bangladesh – is turning soil restoration into a source of economic growth. By implementing AI-based technologies and recycling agricultural waste with the support of the UN, they are proving that caring for nature can generate income and improve living standards.
High yield for the sake of ecology: Senegal’s experience
Daniel Hahlman’s business in Senegal is based on a simple idea: if a farmer harvests more from less land, some of the land is freed up for nature restoration.
His company Féro combines high-tech greenhouses with agroforestry. The harvest from the greenhouses is sold almost immediately, while other parts of the farm are planted with local tree species, including fruit trees. The balance between production and ecology reduces soil stress and makes land restoration economically viable.
Halman assessed the potential of this field while still a student. After participating in a small project, he saw what results could be achieved by simply planting trees and enriching the soil with carbon, and then decided to develop the idea further.
“Of course, this can be done in the format of a non-profit organization, but I deliberately chose the path of business,” he shared on the sidelines of the UN Conference to Combat Desertification (COP-17) in Ulaanbaatar.
The main obstacle was time. Trees generate income only after several years, while the business needs funds as soon as possible. Therefore, Halman decided to combine reforestation with greenhouse crops, which mature very quickly.
“In Senegal, they really love onions, and we realized: here is a great opportunity,” explains Khalman. According to him, identifying an environmental problem is only half the battle. For the business to grow, it must meet real market demand.
Green Eden Farms’ ScareGrow System uses solar-powered devices installed in the fields to collect data
Solar Panel Sensors: Nigeria
Green Eden Farms co-founder Ritkatmun Bvemana brought personal experience to the business: she ran a small household farm in Nigeria. The entrepreneur knows firsthand how difficult it is to increase production volumes on depleted lands.
Her company developed the ScareGrow efficient farming system, powered by solar panels. It helps farmers use water and fertilizers in measured amounts, protecting the soil from excessive chemical load.
For Green Eden Farms, success is not measured by the number of devices sold. “What matters to us is knowing whether farmers actually save water, whether fertilizer usage has decreased, and whether resources are applied timely and exactly where needed,” she emphasizes.
According to Bvemana, this is the key to large-scale land restoration: the process must bring tangible benefits to those who work the land. “If you approach a farmer and say, ‘Let’s restore the land,’ but it won’t bring him financial gain, he simply will not invest.”
Pacchar The Pacchar company processes agricultural waste into biochar.
Processing agricultural waste into biochar: Ecuador
Ecuadorian Carlos Alfredo Gonzalez Vargas saw prospects in solving two problems at once. Years of intensive cultivation had depleted the agricultural land, and tons of wood and plant waste were either burned or left to rot in the fields.
In 2021, he founded the company Pacchar, which processes this waste into biochar – charcoal for soil enrichment. Its porous structure retains water and nutrients, reducing the need for mineral fertilizers and binding carbon in the soil for many years.
Today, Pacchar collaborates with producers of cocoa, bananas, roses, vegetables, and other crops in several provinces of Ecuador. According to the founder, the technology has already been implemented in more than 100 farming communities, and the area of restored land has exceeded 500 hectares.
“It was painful to watch fertile lands turn into a desert,” Gonzalez recalls. “That’s why I decided to urgently start my business; there can be no delay in land restoration.”
Several years of experience have demonstrated not only increased yields but also significant savings in water and fertilizers. However, this was not enough to earn the trust of farmers. Many were skeptical of the technology: the seller himself provided the evidence of its effectiveness.
“You conduct the research yourself and then sell me this product yourself. I don’t believe you,” Gonzalez recounts the typical reaction of clients.
At that time, Pacchar involved independent research institutes and universities in the trials to test biochar on different types of soils and crops.
“Innovation must be based on an independent scientific foundation – only in this way can trust be earned,” says the entrepreneur.
Aunkur The Aunkur platform analyzes soil and weather data, helping small farms decide what and when to plant.
Helpful tips from artificial intelligence: Bangladesh
Mashrur Shurid in Bangladesh faced a similar problem. Due to unpredictable rains, floods, droughts, and salt buildup in the soil, it became increasingly difficult for farmers to make the right decisions.
When launching the Aunkur project in 2021, Shurid primarily had to prove that useful recommendations can be obtained through digital technologies.
The Aunkur platform analyzes data on soil, weather, and specific plots, helping small farms decide what and when to plant and how to care for crops as conditions change. Today, the system serves more than 33,000 farms in Bangladesh and is launching pilot projects in other countries.
Dry technical summaries have no value for farmers if they cannot be turned into concrete steps.
“We give clear instructions: these seeds need to be selected, this fertilizer applied, and precisely in this dosage,” explains Shurid.
Aunkur helps manufacturers reach buyers and financial institutions.
“When we see that farmers are gaining real benefits, we must capture this result in numbers,” Shurid concludes. It is this data that becomes a compelling argument for banks and investors.
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