Seed2Grow Spotlight: NC State’s Tahira Pirzada Expands Soteria Formulations’ Global Reach

28 September 2025, Raleigh: From developing biodegradable seed wraps for smallholder farmers in Africa to building a technology platform with global applications, Dr. Tahira Pirzada, CEO of Soteria Formulations and NC State research scholar, is redefining how agricultural inputs are delivered to crops.

From African Fields to Global Markets

Nearly a decade ago, Pirzada came to North Carolina State University to work on a Gates Foundation–funded project that used agricultural residues to create low-cost seed wraps. These biodegradable materials, developed from banana stems and recycled cardboard, improved yam yields in Benin while reducing pesticide use by up to 90%. For resource-poor farmers, the technology provided healthier crops, better marketability, and higher incomes.

“The impact was immediate,” Pirzada recalls. “We were using crop waste to deliver inputs directly to the seed, improving yields with fewer chemicals.”

The success laid the foundation for Soteria Formulations, which now develops seed coatings and pelleted granulesthat extend the performance of both chemical and biological products. The approach reduces off-target chemical loss, improves input efficiency, and supports sustainable crop protection.

A Startup with a Cause

Pirzada co-founded Soteria with Richard Guenther, Charles Opperman, and Saad Khan, combining expertise in materials science, plant pathology, and chemical engineering. Today, the company partners with pesticide and biological manufacturers to enhance formulations for both small and large-scale agriculture.

“What makes Soteria different is that it is both a business and a cause,” Pirzada explains. “We are helping manufacturers keep their products effective while addressing global concerns about chemical residues, environmental impact, and pest resistance.”

Globally, an estimated 20–40% of crops are lost to pests, and up to 90% of agrochemicals never reach their target. Soteria’s delivery technology reduces the number of applications needed, helping curb contamination, improve food safety, and extend the life of existing chemistries.

Scaling Innovation Through Seed2Grow

Soteria Formulations is now part of NC State’s Seed2Grow entrepreneurial program, which supports plant science startups in advancing research toward commercialization. Through Seed2Grow, Pirzada and her team have gained access to mentorship, business networks, and validation trials with NC State Extension.

The company is currently advancing NexGran™, a pelleted formulation being scaled with manufacturing partners, and is also developing specialized seed coatings. Product validation, scaling, and industry partnerships remain priorities as Soteria positions itself for wider adoption.

Support from NC State, NCBiotech, and industry advisers such as Howard Glicksman (former DuPont Fellow) and Natarajan Balachander has been critical in guiding the startup through technology transfer, market readiness, and global strategy.

Looking Ahead

For Pirzada, the entrepreneurial path is both unexpected and deeply rewarding. “I never imagined myself as an entrepreneur,” she reflects. “But with the support of NC State and the Plant Sciences Initiative, we’ve been able to take an idea from the lab to the field and now toward global markets.”

After eight years of success in Africa, Soteria Formulations is now setting its sights on transforming agriculture at scale. “Agriculture is global,” Pirzada says. “Whether it’s smallholder farmers in Africa or large-scale growers in North America or Europe, the need is the same: more efficient, sustainable solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment alike.”

Also Read: Tropical Agro Unveils AI – Enabled Tech Tools To Tackle India’s 7 Million Tonnes Fruit Loss Problem

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