From biological crop protection to renewable energy: four Costa Rican innovators driving change in agriculture with the LuxAid Challenge Fund

Innovation is already transforming agriculture and food systems in Costa Rica. Through the LuxAid Challenge Fund (LCF), four Costa Rican companies have been selected to scale solutions that address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from reducing chemical inputs and limiting food waste to promoting circular production models and renewable energy.

Discover the entrepreneurs, their vision and the impact they aime to achieve through a series of videos produced with the support of Costa Rica’s Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN).

Reducing dependence on conventional pesticides

BioVENKO is developing microbiological solutions based on naturally occurring microorganisms that help farmers manage pests and diseases more sustainably. The project supported by the LCF will accelerate research, validation and regulatory processes for new products targeting key crops such as citrus fruits, bananas and vegetables. By expanding access to biological alternatives, the company aims to contribute to healthier soils, more resilient agricultural systems and reduced dependence on conventional pesticides.

▶ Watch the entrepreneur’s story: https://youtu.be/yfcNXhLC_zw 

Building stronger value chains for sustainable agriculture

Based in Zarcero, Guerrero Agrícola has developed an integrated model that supports certified producers through access to bioinputs, technical assistance, product collection and commercialisation services. With LCF support, the company will expand its collection capacity, integrate more producers into the model and strengthen market opportunities for sustainably produced food. The initiative seeks not only to improve agricultural productivity, but also to create stronger and more inclusive value chains that benefit producers and consumers alike.

▶ Watch the entrepreneur’s story: https://youtu.be/MOOVn0RdNd4 

Turning agricultural by-products into high-value food products

For Cultura Fungi, waste is a resource. The company cultivates gourmet and functional mushrooms using agricultural by-products as production inputs, creating a circular ecosystem in which materials remain in use for longer and waste streams are minimised. The project will allow Cultura Fungi to increase production capacity, strengthen its circular economy model and respond to growing market demand for mushrooms and functional extracts. Beyond food production, the initiative demonstrates how circular business models can generate both economic value and environmental benefits.

▶ Watch the entrepreneur’s story: https://youtu.be/dy-tyGFNhbI 

Giving agricultural waste a second life

Agricultural residues are often viewed as a disposal challenge. BioConversión sees them as an opportunity. Its BIOCRISOL technology transforms residues from crops such as coffee, pineapple, sugar cane and oil palm into renewable energy and biochar, a carbon-rich material that can be used to improve soil quality. The LCF will support the transition from an operational demonstration unit to a pre-industrial phase, enabling testing under real conditions with producers and cooperatives before larger-scale deployment. The project has the potential to reduce waste, generate renewable energy and create new value streams for agricultural producers.

▶ Watch the entrepreneur’s story: https://youtu.be/mS-vD6PkkeQ 

Innovation with impact

Although each project addresses a different challenge, all four share a common objective: creating practical, market-based solutions that contribute to more sustainable agricultural and food systems. Through the LCF, Luxembourg’s cooperation is supporting Costa Rican entrepreneurs who are transforming innovative ideas into tangible impact. As these projects move into the implementation phase, they illustrate how private-sector innovation can help build more resilient, efficient and sustainable models for the future of agriculture.

About the LCF

The LuxAid Challenge Fund is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.