Loss of species threatens food security
Liechtenstein Group focuses on sustainable agriculture and investments in forward-looking agricultural concepts
Vienna (OTS) – 75 percent of global food crops depend on insect pollination. In addition to climate change, the decline in biodiversity thus poses a major threat to the food security of our growing world population. In the area of agriculture, the Liechtenstein Group therefore focuses on the targeted promotion of biodiversity through sustainable management, as well as resource-saving and promising technologies.
One of the greatest challenges of our time is to ensure sufficient production of food and to keep the contribution to environmental and climate-related emissions as low as possible. “As sustainability-focused investors, we support climate-friendly agricultural solutions that can improve yields and crop quality, increase farmer profitability while reducing emissions and residues. We rely on resource-saving, forward-looking methods, regenerative agriculture, digitization, reduced use of pesticides and increased use of biological agents in the fight against climate change and for the promotion of biodiversity,” explains Constantin Liechtenstein, CEO of the Liechtenstein Group.
Soil & Biodiversity: Securing crop yields in the long term
Gutsbetrieb Wilfersdorf manages the agricultural areas of the Liechtenstein Group in Lower Austria. “We take full part in the Austrian Program for Environmentally Friendly Agriculture (ÖPUL), practice regenerative agriculture with year-round greening of arable land, minimal tillage and humus build-up to avoid erosion. A healthy soil and insects as pollinators are essential for the production of sufficient and high-quality food. In the long term, only sustainable agriculture can also achieve corresponding crop yields,” says DI Hans Jörg Damm, director of the estate and forestry operation. “460 of our total of 3,000 ha are currently being converted to organic farming, 15 percent of the total area is fallow and biodiversity areas. With numerous ecological projects such as bird sanctuaries, the preservation of wet and dry meadows and a cooperation with an organic beekeeper, the promotion of biodiversity is very important to us. So-called precision farming also allows us to use fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently and therefore less, which benefits soil organisms and insects.”
Biological alternatives for more biodiversity and healthy food
The increasing importance of sustainable agriculture, the need to reduce emissions in food and the regulatory pressure towards biological solutions have generated double-digit growth in the market for so-called biologicals (products of non-chemical or synthetic origin) over the last decade.
At the end of 2021, the Liechtenstein Group will acquire a stake in the Spanish biotech company Nature Talent Group (NTG). NTG researches and develops, manufactures and sells residue-free high-tech organic fertilizers, biostimulants and organic crop protection products that increase crop yields and improve nutrient uptake and plant resilience.
Johannes Meran, CIO of the Liechtenstein Group: “NTG is a company with state-of-the-art biotechnology and a large commercial reach in the fastest changing areas of agriculture. We strive to support the growth and development of biological solutions that can help reduce the environmental footprint of the agricultural sector, as well as promote more resilient ecosystems and biodiversity.”
Less pesticides through natural pest tolerance & digital solutions
RiceTec, a global leader in rice seed agrotechnology and part of the Liechtenstein Group’s corporate portfolio, is committed to improving the sustainability of the rice industry. Supplying the growing world population with one of the world’s most important staple foods can only be covered by a significant increase in harvest productivity. However, because rice is typically grown in flooded conditions, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. RiceTec has developed methods that allow rice to be grown with limited or no flooding, which can drastically reduce methane production. The company also researches and works on seeds with a natural tolerance to pests and diseases, which requires less use of nitrogen and pesticides, thus protecting nature and the organism.
In February 2022, the Liechtenstein Group invested in the reliable company Agritask, a company that continues to advance digitization and data management in the agricultural sector. Digitization in agriculture is an important transformation factor. It makes it possible to closely monitor the growth of the plants and any pest or disease infestation, even in very large fields. Fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation can be used in a targeted manner in the lowest possible dosage. Climate and biodiversity are protected, crop yields can be increased. Agritask’s Agronomic Intelligence SaaS platform drives transparency, insight and better decision-making across the entire agri-food value chain, streamlining operations and ensuring sustainable farming and sourcing practices, from seed to harvest – from farm to fork .
“We are actively looking for sustainable, innovative and high-performing business models to invest in, and we see Agritask playing a key role in securing the future of food production and having the potential to impact the lives of millions of farmers.” Welcome to Johannes Meran about the investment.
Liechtenstein Group makes a significant contribution
“I am convinced that the Liechtenstein Group and its company are making a significant contribution to the major challenges of our time, such as climate change, feeding a growing world population and the loss of biodiversity,” explains Constantin Liechtenstein. “The Liechtenstein family has always followed a simple, holistic approach and thinks in terms of generations. As a father of three children, I am committed to ensuring that my children grow up in an intact environment and I am convinced that we will have to act more resource-efficiently in the future!”
About the Liechtenstein Group
The Liechtenstein Group is an international group of companies owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein, which is active in the business areas of agriculture & food, forestry, renewable energies and real estate. The group pursues a long-term and internationally oriented investment strategy, flexible to the four core sectors. Further information at www.lgroup.com
Questions & contact:
Mag. Julia Holter
corporate communications
+43 664 88008473
j.holter@lgroup.com
www.lgroup.com