Their solution of Kelp Blue, StimBlue+, is emerging as a key tool to strengthen crop resilience to climate change and advance towards more efficient and sustainable agriculture.
What advantages does cultivating Macrocystis pyrifera in the Benguela Current offer compared to other regions of the world?
The Benguela Current is one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet thanks to its cold, nutrient‑rich upwelling waters with very low levels of heavy metals (something that is also reflected in the purity of our biostimulant). For kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), these conditions translate into exceptionally fast growth rates —between 30 and 60 cm per day— high biomass productivity, and excellent biostimulant properties.
Cold, stable temperatures combined with a constant supply of nutrients allow year‑round cultivation, reducing seasonal variability and ensuring a continuous supply and consistent product quality.
How do you ensure that the expansion of cultivated hectares remains within sustainable parameters and respects marine biodiversity?
We take a scientific and highly precautionary approach. Our in‑house diving team conducts weekly field visits to collect water samples and monitor local conditions in and around our farms. This allows us to track water quality, nutrient levels, and ecosystem dynamics in real time.
We also work closely with our sister organization, the Kelp Forest Foundation, an independent NGO that conducts ongoing research on Macrocystis pyrifera, its interaction with marine biodiversity, and its broader environmental impacts, including links to ocean and soil health. All of this research is open‑source and publicly accessible because we believe transparency is essential to building a truly sustainable blue economy.
Our farms act as genuine ecosystem engineers. Through eDNA analysis, we have already identified more than 800 marine species present in and around our cultivation areas, including economically important species such as lobster and sardine.
What social and economic impact do you expect to generate in the local communities of Lüderitz as your operations expand? You currently have more than 30 hectares under cultivation and are adding 4 hectares per month. What is your medium‑term goal?
Our growth directly benefits the local community of Lüderitz. We hire exclusively at the local level and focus on creating stable, long‑term jobs with a positive environmental impact.
Beyond employment, we invest heavily in capacity building. We offer training programmes in swimming, diving, and marine operations—essential skills that many Namibians have not traditionally had access to.
We have also created a primary and secondary “Blue School”, where we introduce younger generations to ocean literacy, marine ecology, and regenerative aquaculture. Our goal is to empower future ocean stewards who learn to work with the sea, not against it.
In a country where unemployment ranges between 30–40%, and where both the former and current presidents strongly support the development of a blue economy, this approach allows us to create meaningful, future‑ready jobs while strengthening long‑term environmental and social resilience.
We hold a licence for more than 6,000 hectares, which enables us to grow responsibly and in phases. In the medium term, our ambition is to scale progressively within this licensed area. In parallel, we are building a globally distributed model, with operations planned in New Zealand and, in the future, also in Alaska and Chile. This allows us to cultivate locally, generate local employment, and reduce transport‑related emissions.
How does StimBlue+ help reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and improve crop resilience to climate change?
StimBlue+ is an organic biostimulant made from 100% cultivated kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)**. This species is known for its high content of bioactive compounds, rapid growth, and strong CO₂ absorption and retention capacity.
Kelp extracts are sustainable agricultural inputs that promote root development and tolerance to abiotic stress—drought, salinity, heat, or frost—by activating plants’ natural defence and adaptation mechanisms. This results in stronger, more resilient crops with more stable yields under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
StimBlue+ naturally interacts with fungal organisms such as downy mildew, as this microorganism is evolutionarily related to algae. In vineyards, we observe that it helps strengthen the plant’s natural defence mechanisms, making vines less susceptible to mildew pressure. It does not act as a pesticide; instead, it reinforces resilience and physiological balance.
Independent trials conducted with Rhizome Network have shown that nitrogen fertilizers can be reduced by 30% without compromising yield. In a European context of increasing regulations to mitigate nitrate pollution from fertilizers, these results demonstrate how StimBlue+ can help farmers reduce inputs without sacrificing production.
For which crops is StimBlue+ particularly recommended, and what is its unique added value?
StimBlue+ is designed to work across a wide range of crops: fruits, vegetables, vineyards, cereals, and nuts. We also develop crop‑specific formulations—such as for grapes, almonds, and strawberries—to address the unique physiological needs of each crop.
Its differential value lies in three key elements:
- Origin and composition — our kelp grows in dynamic ocean conditions, resulting in a naturally rich profile of bioactive compounds.
- Green extraction process — this preserves the full biological complexity of the kelp, something that many industrial processes destroy.
- Consistency and traceability — by working with cultivated kelp from the same harvestable plots, we ensure a stable and uniform product, unlike wild‑harvested sources, which vary in species composition and depend on government quotas.
In summary, StimBlue+ is a carbon‑neutral, organically certified biostimulant made from 100% cultivated kelp, highly miscible, concentrated, and with a low pH (4–5) that facilitates mixing and reduces costs.
What protocols do you recommend for applying StimBlue+ under water stress or high‑temperature conditions?
StimBlue+ acts as a preventive insurance policy for crops, helping plants build resilience before stress occurs. We recommend applying it preventively—before periods of heat or water scarcity—via foliar application to activate the plant’s natural defence and adaptation mechanisms.
Recommended rates:
- Cereals: 1 L/ha, one or two applications per season.
- Vegetables: 2 L/ha, two or three applications per season.
- Fruit trees: 2 L/ha, three applications per season.
Applications are especially effective during sensitive stages such as early growth, flowering, and fruit set.
Highlight: StimBlue+ is designed for use in fruits, vegetables, vineyards, cereals, and nuts.
