"As consumer demand for alternatives to hazardous pesticides and chemical fertilizers has escalated, so have the number of examinations and inspections farmers need to perform routinely. But in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Georgia, and China, the vast distances between fields and labs make the process unwieldy and can render test results inaccurate.

"Shelef's mobile lab solves the problem by providing all necessary tools on the back of a truck or other towed vehicle that can be driven right onto the field. Performing soil and leaf analyses on site allows the farmer to determine the exact amount of fertilizer required for the crops. That prevents over-fertilization, which creates water pollution, and helps conserve water used for irrigation.