The tiny organisms transforming farming | Karsten Temme

Karsten Temme, founder of PivotBio, argues that re-engineering soil microbes can revolutionize agriculture by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. He explains that while fertilizers have dramatically increased crop yields, they also lead to significant environmental damage and economic costs. Temme details how his company reprograms microbes to fix nitrogen, enabling plants to receive nutrients in real-time. He shares examples of farmers in Michigan, Brazil, and Kenya who have successfully used these microbes to increase yields, reduce fertilizer use, and improve resilience to climate challenges. Temme envisions a future where a global network for microbial manufacturing empowers farmers worldwide, fostering a more sustainable and efficient approach to agriculture.