Cargill has entered a multi-year research agreement with vertical farming pioneer AeroFarms to identify the optimal conditions for cocoa tree growth and, in turn, build a more resilient cocoa sector.
The research collaboration brings together AeroFarms’ expertise in controlled environment agriculture, with Cargill’s extensive knowledge of cocoa agronomy and production practices.
“We have grown over 550 different crops, and we are excited to be working on another project with them, this time focused on cocoa,” says David Rosenberg, co-founder and CEO of AeroFarms.
“Genetics and speed breeding is one of the verticals we focus on,” he adds.
The findings will yield new insights, targeting factors such as faster tree growth and greater yields, accelerated development of varieties with enhanced pest and disease resistance, and unlocking the cocoa bean’s full flavor and color potential.
High-tech cocoa
AeroFarms’ technology is a platform built to optimize plant biology, genetics, mechanical systems, operational systems, environmental systems and digital controls, data capture and analytics.
The companies will experiment with different indoor growing technologies including aeroponics and hydroponics, light, carbon dioxide, irrigation, nutrition, plant space and pruning.
“Applying our platform to optimize cocoa growing is one way that AeroFarms can have a broader positive impact on the world,” affirms Rosenberg.
In March AeroFarms was recognized as second in the global 2020 FoodTech 500 rankings. The annual list highlights global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection between food, technology and environmental sustainability.
Future-proofing cocoa
In addition to making cocoa production more efficient, the collaboration will also study the impact of climate change to help secure the future supply of cocoa beans.
“Environmental challenges and growing demand for cocoa products are placing increased pressure on the global cocoa supply chain,” says Niels Boetje, managing director at Cargill Cocoa Europe.
“Through partnerships with research institutes, universities and innovative companies like AeroFarms, we are collaborating across sectors in experiments to bring greater productivity and resilience to traditional cocoa farming operations.
Cargill will share its findings with the farmer cooperatives in its cocoa supply chain to “help ensure a thriving cocoa sector for generations to come.”
Initial exploratory work has already begun at AeroFarms global headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, US, and will soon expand to the company’s state-of-the-art AeroFarms AgX Research & Development indoor vertical farm in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which is slated to open in early 2022.
Start-up inspiration
Cargill has previously partnered with start-ups, tapping into cutting-edge creations. In April, Cargill entered a joint venture in Bflike, a Dutch start-up with technology to address the rapidly evolving meat and fish alternatives categories.
Moreover, the food ingredients giant partners annually with Ecolab, to support the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator. The mentorship-driven program engages early-stage entrepreneurs changing the face of the global food system.
Start-ups qualifying for 2021 include budding companies like US-based Carbon Origins, which provides free take-out and grocery deliveries from robots trained and monitored by remote VR drivers.
Other tech-forward innovators in the 2021 incubator include Canada-based UBI Meat Experts, which is building a platform for grading and monitoring the quality of cuts in the meat industry. It will also leverage AI to reduce food waste and improve food safety.
