AMAPÁ, BRAZIL — Young researcher Benjamin Pereira de Brito, 12, created an eco capsule using sugarcane waste in Macapá. The project uses fibers from the material to protect seeds and help plants grow.

The idea came after Benjamin read online about sugarcane production in Brazil. With guidance from teacher Soraya Cristina Leal, from the Instituto Nacional Leva Ciência, he turned the idea into a scientific project.

According to Benjamin, the proposal was to give new use to fibers that would otherwise be discarded and combine material reuse with the planting of new species.

“I read an article online in 2024 that said Brazil was one of the world's largest sugar producers. So I thought about reusing this sugarcane to build an eco capsule that would protect the seeds and help the environment, making them grow healthier and with various fibers,” he said.

In the 2024/25 crop cycle, Brazil produced about 676 million metric tons of sugarcane, according to estimates by the National Supply Company (Conab). For the 2026/2027 harvest, production is forecast to increase 4.7%, to 705.2 million metric tons.

Benjamin conducted laboratory tests to assess the project's effectiveness. He also examined whether the material could have an impact on the soil or the environment.

With the help of his teacher, Benjamin planted seedlings and donated some of the capsules to the 22nd Jungle Infantry Brigade. The initiative allowed him to test the application of the eco capsule in practice.

“I felt very happy with the results because it is a way to contribute to planet Earth and make it possible for us to survive on it longer.”

Benjamin is now studying new planting methods and testing the material in different types of soil and environmental conditions. The idea is to determine the extent to which the eco capsule could be an alternative for small reforestation areas.

According to teacher Soraya Cristina Pereira Leal, scientific projects help children and teenagers develop curiosity and seek solutions to everyday problems.

“When he grows up, with the eco capsule spread across degraded areas, he will look at it and say: ‘I contributed to the environment, I contributed to combating the greenhouse effect and pollution.’ It came from a project that many people do not value, but that still contributes to our planet.”

Through his studies, Benjamin has already won awards, participated in conferences and attended science fairs in several states, including Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul.

The research also earned the student a credential to participate in a scientific event in Kuwait, a country in the Middle East.

Amazon Agency