Agricultural giant since 1983

Chapter 217 Slow Release Fertilizer

The speech lasted only 45 minutes, followed by questions and free exchanges. Representatives from various government agencies, agricultural-related enterprises and research institutions raised their hands to ask questions.

Li Lei also seized the opportunity to ask a question of his own interest, "Will the development of slow-release fertilizer technology help increase grain production?"

Slow-release fertilizer is a special kind of fertilizer. Ordinary fertilizers, such as urea and potassium fertilizers used by ordinary people, will take effect immediately after fertilization, but the maintenance time is relatively short, and the effective components in the fertilizer are not used enough, and even cause soil Problems such as hardening have a large loss of ground force.

In order to solve the problem that the fertilizer nutrient release rate does not match the plant nutrient absorption rate, the concept of slow-release fertilizer was proposed in the early 20th century; the compound containing nutrients in this fertilizer is released slowly in the soil or the nutrient release rate can be controlled to a certain extent. Control for continuous uptake and utilization by crops.

In this way, the utilization rate of effective elements in the fertilizer can be improved, the pollution to the soil can be reduced, the action time of the fertilizer can be prolonged, and the frequency of fertilization by farmers can be reduced.

The specific method is to change the chemical composition of the fertilizer or coat the surface with a semi-permeable or impermeable substance, so that the effective nutrients in it are slowly released, and the nitrogen fertilizer with a long fertilizer effect is maintained.

The most important feature of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is that it can control its release rate, and gradually decompose after being applied to the soil, and gradually be absorbed and utilized by crops, so that the nutrients in the fertilizer can meet the different needs of crops in each growth stage throughout the growth period. After one application, The fertilizer effect can be maintained for several months to more than a year.

This technical idea was put forward very early, but it was not until 1948 that K. G． C1art and others synthesized the world's first slow-release condensation fertilizer urea-formaldehyde; in 1955, the slightly soluble urea-formaldehyde compound (UF) was commercially synthesized, and the slow-release fertilizer was really used in agricultural production.

In 1961, the United States developed sulfur-coated urea, and then the research and development of slow-release fertilizers made great progress. The research mainly focused on the production and application of urea-formaldehyde condensates; paraffin, rosin, etc. as wrapping films; biuret applications and hazards etc.

The 80s was the era when the research and development of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers advanced by leaps and bounds. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers began to take a diversified road, and their research directions also expanded. At this time, my country also started the research and development of slow-release fertilizers. The gap is still relatively large.

"This is a good question. We all know how much fertilizer can increase agricultural production!" The speaker liked this question very much. This is not an environmental protection conference, and everyone attaches great importance to fertilizers.

"But from the current point of view, the effect of slow-release fertilizers on agriculture, especially planting, is still relatively limited. The reason is simple-cost! The production cost of slow-release fertilizers is much higher than that of ordinary fertilizers. Now they are only used in horticulture, high In the cultivation of valuable economic crops, it is rarely used in the production of staple food!"

Whether it is coating the fertilizer granules or changing the chemical composition, the production process is more complicated than traditional fertilizers, so the cost will naturally be high. The planting area of ​​staple foods such as wheat, rice, and corn is very large, and the price will be higher if they are all used. No one can afford the slow-release fertilizer.

So now slow-release fertilizers are mostly used in the maintenance of high-end gardens, flowers, high-end fruits, high-end vegetables and other crops with high economic added value.

"However, we can also see that compared with the 60s, the price gap between slow-release fertilizers and ordinary fertilizers is narrowing, and the increase in crop yields is increasing!" The speaker drew two curves in the air, "Slow-release fertilizers The development trend of fertilizers is just like these two curves, the cost is decreasing and the effect is increasing, and when the two reach a certain critical point, slow-release fertilizers can be widely used in the production of more agricultural products.”

"Professor, according to your prediction, how long will this time point come?" This question attracted the attention of more participants, and someone immediately raised their hands to ask questions. Li Lei looked at the ID card hanging on his chest , is the representative of COMPO Horticulture in Germany.

The parent company of COMPO Horticulture is the well-known BASF. Since its establishment, it has long focused on the research of plant conservation, soil health and efficient utilization of mineral nutrients. Its products cover special fertilizers, biostimulants and plant protection series. The leader in the fertilizer market is also the top supplier of home garden fertilizers and plant protection products in Europe.

At the same time, they are also one of the major manufacturers of slow-release fertilizers in the world. No wonder they are so excited. If the professor's prediction comes true, the market value of Compo Horticulture will inevitably usher in a surge.

"I am not a prophet, it is difficult to give an accurate time! But what I need to remind is that what I just said is only a theoretical situation. Can the cost of slow-release fertilizer be reduced, and how much can it be reduced? How fast the growth will be requires a large amount of capital to be invested in research, and it is still impossible to judge whether the capital investment will bring enough returns! Therefore, companies interested in this direction must carefully consider it.”

There was a burst of sighing in the conference room. Many companies here are doing research in this area, but they are still full of doubts about the future of slow-release fertilizers. Now that someone talks about this topic, they hope to have an optimistic one. , Yes, but they didn't get what they wanted.

"I said earlier that this is a very promising project. We can't just focus on the high-end market. For the agricultural field, ordinary products are the most critical, especially staple food fertilizers. Even if we only win a hundred One-half of the market is more profitable than monopolizing half of the high-end horticulture market!" The representative of Compo Horticulture excitedly told the representative of BASF beside him.

"It is true in theory, but it requires a large amount of research funding, and it conflicts with the strategic direction of the group!" The representative of BASF did not agree with the plan of Compo Horticultural. Even if Compo Horticulture can develop a low-priced slow-release fertilizer for a world-renowned fertilizer company, wouldn’t it impact the market that the parent company already owns?
This is the same as Sony had mastered the key technology of MP3 very early in the future, but because it was afraid of impacting its own CD player market, it delayed launching it, and finally completely missed the MP3 era.

From a commercial point of view, the statement made by the representative of BASF is understandable. No company is willing to create an opponent for itself, let alone this opponent is a subsidiary of itself; but it is difficult for the representative of Compo Horticulture to accept this because his interests It is all on Compo Horticulture, which conflicts with the interests of BASF.

"What if we solve the funding problem by ourselves?" The representative of Compo Horticulture said unwillingly. They have a deep accumulation in the field of slow-release fertilizers, and they really don't want to give up this good opportunity. No company is willing to see such a large sum of money from Slip away.

"This is your freedom!" The representative of BASF spread his hands and shrugged. Although Compo Horticulture is a subsidiary of them, it also has a certain degree of independence. It is impossible for him to let Compo Horticulture do nothing.

"Compo Horticulture is too far ahead of us. To be honest, I don't have much confidence in racing against such competitors on the same track, unless I can get more research funds than them!" Dialogue between Park Horticulture and BASF.

Li Lei looked at the ID card on his chest. It turned out to be the representative of Ecom in the Netherlands. The agricultural technology in the Netherlands is very developed, especially in the field of flower planting. This country, which is world-famous for its tulips, naturally has advanced slow-release fertilizer production. The company, Yikangmo is one of the representatives.

It’s just that there is no giant like BASF behind Yikangmu, and the Dutch market is much smaller than the German market, so the strength of Yikangm is still far behind that of Compo Horticulture.

"The good news is that BASF does not seem to support the plan of Compo Horticulture. The bad news is that we also need to find help from external funds. I am afraid it will be difficult for us to bear the huge amount of research expenses on our own!" his partner sighed .

"Maybe we can chat." Fortunately, their conversation was in English. After Li Lei listened to it, he dug out two suitable cards from his own business card and handed them over.

"Xiangjiang New Century Investment Company?" The two of them took the business card with some doubts. Why would an investment company from Xiangjiang be interested in this project?Xiangjiang has no agricultural foundation.

This is still good. If Li Lei showed his domestic business card, they would probably not accept it even more. Who would believe in the strength of a Chinese company?

"Our company has been focusing on agricultural investment projects. On the one hand, it operates in the futures market, and on the other hand, it invests in potential agricultural enterprises! We have benefited from market fluctuations such as the palm oil crisis in Southeast Asia and the US soybean crisis. Fengfeng has also invested in some agricultural related enterprises in Asia. The apricot jam and hawthorn children’s food produced by the company we invested in have been exported to Europe.”

"Our partner has also won KFC's white feather chicken supply contract in the Far East region, and also cooperated with the Chinese government to produce chemical fertilizers! We are very optimistic about the future market development of slow-release fertilizers, so we have raised a lot of funds to invest in real strength. Company!" Li Lei's words attracted many people, and the slow-release fertilizer production companies that came to this meeting today are not only Yicom and Compo Gardening.

"There are too many people here, let's find a quiet place!" Seeing so many people paying attention, Deherit of Yikang decided to get up. Such a good thing should not fall into the hands of competitors.

"Sir, I'm the manager of Navasa Spain, maybe we can talk too!"

"I am the person in charge of Eisenbeck Company in Israel, and we are also concerned about the production technology of slow-release fertilizers." Representatives of several other companies immediately surrounded them, and the faces of Deherit and his partner Mullen immediately sank. , They regretted their reaction just now, if only they took the business card and went out together directly.

"New Century is very keen to support those emerging companies with potential, but I need to chat with the two gentlemen from Yikangmu first! This is my business card. I live in room 726 now. Maybe we can make an appointment again! Anyway, Da The Worth meeting is still long!" Ji Chen scattered the business cards around, and at the same time took back a lot, and even Muller from Compo Gardening came over in a hurry to hand over the business cards.

It is true that many investment companies are looking for opportunities at the Davos conference, but most investment companies tend to be more interested in emerging industries such as electronics and IT, and are not very interested in traditional industries such as agriculture, so they want to find companies that are willing to spend money. It's not easy to be an investor, and now I finally meet one, so I have to talk about it anyway.

The Steigenberger Hotel has held nearly [-] Davos Forums in a row. They know exactly what services the guests need, so they have already prepared meeting spaces of various sizes. Li Lei and Deheritt went out to work The personnel reported the demand, and immediately got a small private room.

They brought coffee, tea, and snacks to Li Lei and others, and went to Li Lei's room to fetch samples of apricot jam and hawthorn rolls according to Li Lei's instructions.

"Is this a panda? It's so cute. I have to say that your partner is very good at picking labels. If my children see this product in a supermarket in the Netherlands, they will definitely put it in the shopping basket! I can Do you want to try it?" Deherit was very interested in the pandas on the food packaging.

"Of course, our products are selling well in the UK, France, and Germany, and now we are considering entering the markets of more European countries! As for this panda, it was the mascot of the 1990 Asian Games, and my partner got the only authorization .” Li Lei praised himself again, the more powerful the partners are, the more attractive they are.

"Wow, it seems that your partner is very influential in China!" The two were really stunned. They subconsciously compared the Olympic Games. It is not easy to win the right to use the Olympic mascot trademark Things that often only the biggest companies can do.

"Yes, this company currently has large farms in BJ, Shanghai, Shenzhen and other places. These farms can provide hundreds of thousands of eggs, tens of thousands of chickens, and thousands of pigs every day. At the same time, the food they produce is in China also has a considerable sales volume." Li Lei boasted about his company.

Deherit and Mullen were stunned for a moment. If this is true, then this company is much larger than them in terms of scale and market value.

"We also have many partners in the United States. If you have dealt with a breeding company in the Netherlands, you may have heard of the ultrasonic detector of the American Scitech Company. The ultrasonic instrument for backfat thickness is very popular among breeding companies!"

"I've seen this kind of product in Topek company. Could it be that this company is the same?" DeGerit graduated from an agricultural college, and many of his classmates work in this well-known Dutch breeding company.

"Yes, this company has accepted our investment to have enough funds to develop this product!"

(End of this chapter)