In partnership with Fundación Terra, through its environmental program EcoTerra, we have developed the ‘Smart Seed’ project. an innovative initiative aimed at revolutionizing reforestation in Honduras. This forward-thinking project introduces a new reforestation model for the country, utilizing cutting-edge technology where biotechnology is applied to enhance reforestation processes.
Honduras faces a significant environmental challenge, losing between 60,000 and 80,000 hectares of forest annually due to wildfires, according to the Forest Conservation Institute (ICF). The Smart Seed project directly responds to this alarming deforestation, aiming to mitigate the effects of climate change and restore crucial forest ecosystems.
This project began with a pilot phase to test the development of smart seeds (iSeeds) from certain native forest species for their application and adaptation in the forests of Honduras. They are dispersed via drones with distributors for either moist or dry seeds, depending on the case. Subsequently, the second phase involves the field planting of the smart seeds, including experimental design, execution, and data collection from the target planting sites.
The initial project is reforesting 60 hectares in the central-southern area of Honduras with smart seeds of Pine, Oak, Sweetgum, and Macuelizo. These seeds have been deployed across areas including Leonesa, El Hatillo, Carpinteros, and Comayagua in the central region, as well as San José de la Landa in Choluteca in the southern region.
In 2024, in response to the ongoing climate emergency, we plan to take action on an additional 20 hectares in Corralitos, Francisco Morazán. By launching 500,000 seeds via drone, we aim to further contribute to the reforestation efforts and help restore the region’s ecological balance.
