Climate Pressure Beneath Our Feet
Heavier rainfall and extreme weather are compacting soils and driving widespread waterlogging. Roots suffocate, yields drop, and fields become harder to work. In the UK alone, over two million hectares are affected every year, costing farmers around £1.2 billion in lost productivity.
A Costly Catch-22
Globally, compaction now affects up to a quarter of arable land, causing yield losses of up to 60% in the worst-hit areas. Conventional fixes rely on heavy machinery and chemical intervention that are expensive, carbon intensive, and damage soil over time. Farmers know they need to shift towards regenerative practices, but recovery can take years, during which financial risk rises and outputs fall.
The Difficult Transition
Agriculture is stuck between maintaining yields today and restoring resilience for tomorrow. Farmers need something practical that helps regenerate soil health without asking them to sacrifice their livelihoods in the process.
A Responsive Solution
Aeropod is a soil aeration capsule that activates only when needed. It responds to waterlogging and compaction by opening channels that restore oxygen flow, helping roots and microbes recover naturally.
Designed for Regenerative Transition
The capsule is low-cost, biodegradable and works without heavy machinery or ongoing inputs. It supports farmers during the transition period when fields are most vulnerable and returns control to natural soil processes rather than fighting them.
From Concept to Field
Aeropod has progressed from prototype to early field deployment with support from leading climate innovation programmes. Trials are now expanding to refine activation triggers, durability and scale-up pathways for production.
A Near-Term Path to Resilience
By maintaining productivity while rebuilding soil structure, Aeropod offers farmers a bridge into regenerative practice. It reduces risk, supports soil recovery and fits directly into existing workflows.
Recognition
Core77 Student Sustainability Award 2025 Winner
Youth Innovation Expo European Champions