According to the French company, with this grant the USDA recognises Innovafeed's insect-based fertiliser (black soldier fly frass) as a "truly natural and effective alternative" that promotes soil health, enhances biodiversity, and supports carbon sequestration.
"This is a major endorsement, enabling us to accelerate the transition toward regenerative agriculture, combining productivity with reduced environmental impact," the company said.
The FPEP aims to boost domestic fertiliser production and increase competition in the fertiliser industry.
Amidst a backdrop of unprecedented challenges, fertiliser prices have surged by over 100% between 2021 and 2022. The complex interplay of factors, including the Ukraine conflict, limited availability of essential minerals, soaring energy costs, global demand, and agricultural commodity prices, as well as dependence on imports coupled with a lack of competition, have contributed to this volatile landscape.
In response, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has earmarked an $500 million through the FPEP, aiming to bolster domestic fertiliser innovation, invigorate rural job markets, and provide American farmers with a wider spectrum of choices.
The USDA's call for projects under the FPEP garnered a significant response, with more than 350 businesses vying to increase their fertiliser output. The programme's first round culminated in the selection of 21 projects in January, followed by an announcement of an additional 66 eligible projects in July, poised to receive grants to amplify fertiliser production.
Innovafeed's grant will go towards replicating its production model developed in France in the US, in Decatur, Illinois, where it aims to produce up to 400,000 metric tonnes of frass per year.
Its objective is to provide American farmers with a novel, natural, sustainable fertilising solution: insect frass. Insect frass - which it claims is a high-performing organic source of available nutrients that activate soil microbial activity - is a key component among two additional product lines in Innovafeed's production of Hermetia illucens, commonly known as the black soldier fly.
Innovafeed's North American general manager, Maye Walraven, said: "this endorsement from the USDA recognises Innovafeed's potential to contribute to the autonomous supply of US organic fertiliser and to provide farmers with a solution that improves soil regeneration and carbon sequestration benefits, thus supporting the domestic development of regenerative agriculture".
While several insect species produce frass that can be effective as fertiliser, black soldier fly frass stands out as one of the most nutrient-rich options.
It had the highest total nitrogen concentration, 20-130% higher than frass from other insects, revealed a 2022 study published in Nature. It also had the highest potassium concentration, 17-193% higher than other insect frass and showed the highest seed germination rate and germination index when used as a fertiliser.
Innovafeed produces 100% frass-based fertiliser in the form of dehydrated pellets which is says offers plants a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrient profile which stimulates plant growth throughout the crop cycle and is suitable for production of all crops from grapevines and fruit trees to vegetables and cereals.
The company claims its applications in viticulture, in particular in the Champagne area, have demonstrated over the past years that it can deliver equal or improved yields in replacement of conventional fertilising solutions and contribute to significantly reducing the environmental footprint of farming activities. A Life Cycle Analysis conducted by Innovafeed in 2022 showed that its pellets emit 45% less CO2eq emissions than other animal manures during its manufacturing process and can increase soil carbon sequestration by nearly 60 kg of carbon per tonne over five years.