In Paraguay, leading agro-research company Investancia Paraguay S.A. a subsidiary of the Netherlands-headed Investancia Holding B.V. has teamed up with Hong Kong-based IT developer EcoMatcher Ltd to track a large-scale reforestation project using EcoMatcher’s blockchain-enabled digital tree-planting platform.
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South America’s second-largest forest, the tropical dry forest of the Paraguayan Chaco is one of the richest and most biodiverse ecologies in the world. It is home to endemic and endangered animal species and indigenous communities that rely heavily on the forest for their existence.
Digital mapping and tracking technology
EcoMatcher plants trees and complete forests with vetted foundations from around the world that are specialized in tree planting and it has recently launched a digital mapping technology licensing program for clients that want to map their own mass tree planting projects using its digital mapping technologies.
Through EcoMatcher’s blockchain technology, Investancia will track the performance of its reforestation projects across 125 000 hectares (ha) of degraded cattle land in Paraguay. In 2021 alone, Investancia will reforest more than 2 000 ha of land in the Paraguayan Chaco.
The partnership with Investancia is our first licensing program of its kind, mapping large-scale reforestation projects and has resulted in some world-first features, like linking trees’ QR codes to location data. Investancia is a fantastic partner to work with, said Bas Fransen, EcoMatcher CEO and Founder.
Track 50 million Pongamia trees
Over the next ten years, 50 million Pongamia trees will each receive a unique QR code in Investancia’s tree nursery. Once the trees are planted, each QR code is scanned with EcoMatcher’s TreeCorder app to register the tree’s GPS location and planting date.
All data will be saved on EcoMatcher blockchain and will produce a detailed, large-scale visualization of the land Investancia has reforested.
Moreover, Investancia will be able to collect data points including the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the trees sequester as well as oilseed yields. The partnership ensures full transparency of the entire supply chain and life cycle of the Pongamia trees, which will be planted in the Paraguayan Chaco.
The Paraguayan Chaco is one of the most rapidly deforested areas in the world. To combat this threat, Investancia is using cutting-edge technology and resources. We are thrilled to partner with EcoMatcher to strengthen our reforestation program and ensure this valuable ecosystem is preserved and protected, said Marcel van Heesewijk, Investancia CEO and Founder.
Investancia has worked on world-leading research with the Pongamia tree, which is used in its reforestation programs. Native to India and Australia, the trees are adaptive, allowing them to grow on degraded land, flood and drought resilient, yet are non-invasive.
The trees also produce pods containing oilseeds that are high in protein and vegetable oil, the latter of which can be used as a biofuel feedstock. Earlier this year, Investancia signed a landmark agreement for its “reforestation oil” with advanced biofuel producer ECB Group Paraguay.
