Plant of bio-products for sustainable agriculture More than 50% of the Bolivian population is involved in agriculture. During the last years the amount of cultivated hectares has grown at an average rate of 3%. The amount of hectares under biological production, however, has grown at an annual rate of nearly 80%. Also, consumer behaviour and international policies continue to evolve supporting sustainable agriculture. In order to maintain the soil fertility and prevent attacks of agricultural pests, also in organic agriculture, it is important to invest in bio-fertilizers and other bio-products. PROINPA is a Bolivian foundation dedicated to basic and applied research to develop technologies for sustainable and organic production. It has spent decades of technical assistance to small farmers working together in the development of bio-products. PROINPA has isolated native strains of beneficial micro-organisms which are used as organic inputs in the formulation of bio-products. Bio Top SRL is a company formed by PROINPA that produces and markets on a very small scale bio-fertilizers based on these beneficial micro-organisms. Biosa ApS is a Danish company dedicated to the production, development and application of probiotics within the areas of human health, animal welfare, waste treatment and other environmental areas. The three business partners work together since 2010, but will now start a joint venture company in Cochabamba to produce and market four different types of bio-fertilizers and growth promoters. The products are an integral part of an agricultural extension package, advising farmers on soil recuperation, healthy production methods, increased yields and better incomes. The use of environmentally friendly products in agricultural production systems will contribute to food security and conservation of the country's biggest asset, the soil. The company will be organically certified.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will develop its own CSR policy (including the same subjects as in the CSR policy of Biosa), the factory will be certified according to organic production and explore whether ISO 9001 is feasible. The employees will be trained on CSR and safety aspects.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will pay at least 25% above the official minimum wage in Bolivia for unskilled labourers. The company believes that with good working conditions a human resource allocation can accomplish not only being a pioneer in CSR but also reach profitability. Employees will receive transport service, subsidised lunch and many education opportunities via PROINPA.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeThe products are already produced by Bio Top, but not in a commercially viable way. Through the project with automated production lines there will be higher efficiency, higher production, 10% to 15% less spillage, better working conditions and industrial safety, better quality, less time needed to obtain a certain quantity of product against lower costs per unit product.The project is new in terms of the sectoral effect, the production methods and organisation (certification).•	Chain effectsImpact on local suppliersThe joint venture will source nearly all of its raw materials (several wild plants, molasses, Locoto and potatoes) from small-scale farmers. All suppliers will have formal supply agreements. Also sulphur is bought from a small company in Uyuni, generating a lot of local employment. Part of the supply agreements are the criteria on chain responsibility.Impact on local customers or consumersThe clients of the joint venture are local farmers. They will benefit from recuperated soils, improved soil quality, lower costs on fertilizers and pest controls, less use of additional water, healthier plants, higher production levels, better quality products and higher profitability.•	Impact on the sectorThe combination Bio Top/PROINPA will continue to work closely with the University and research institutions, presenting possibilities for students.•	EnvironmentThe company contributes with part of the solution for the environmental problems caused by conventional agriculture, by restoring and improving the soil structure and quality, improving water holding capacity of the soil, providing alternatives for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As such it protects the natural resources and biodiversity in the region. At the same time it restores agricultural areas in the Valleys of Bolivia which are being abandoned by the farmers, providing an alternative for the migration to the lowland areas, often destroying areas of tropical forests.•	Position of womenThe company will engage 50% women at the middle and high level and 40% at basic level. Moreover, the agro-ecological products will be beneficial for many female-headed households in the valleys of Bolivia, where men have migrated for other jobs.•	Impact on food safetyThe project indirectly has a huge impact on food security by providing affordable solutions for increasing productivity in the valleys and the Altiplano region of Bolivia.•	Impact on waterBy improving the soil structure and quality the water holding capacity of the soil is increased, resulting in less need of irrigation water for the same amount of production. To develop an organic certified production facility for the production and commercialisation throughout Bolivia of environmentally friendly agricultural bio-products.