PepsiCo has unveiled the third year of its Positive Agriculture Outcomes (PAO) Accelerator, a program aimed at addressing critical agricultural challenges globally.
PepsiCo has unveiled the third year of its Positive Agriculture Outcomes (PAO) Accelerator, a program aimed at addressing critical agricultural challenges globally. The company is backing eight new innovation projects across nine countries, advancing its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda. The PAO Accelerator supports diverse and results-driven projects, fostering resilience, improving soil health, and enhancing climate resilience in farming communities.
PepsiCo’s PAO Accelerator program involves co-investment with local farming communities and provides funding for proven ag-tech startups with scalable solutions. The 2023 projects span multiple countries, including Australia, Colombia, Egypt, India, Iraq, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom, addressing specific challenges unique to each region.
Key Initiatives in 2023 PAO Accelerator:
Australian Soil Health Management: Collaborating with grain growers in Australia to test and validate soil health management practices aimed at reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.
Colombian Potato Crop Enhancement: Funding to increase potato crop quality and yield in Colombia through the installation of sprinkler irrigation systems, promoting water use efficiency.
European Regenerative Solutions: In partnership with 3Keel, a UK-based landscape innovation firm, the funding will connect European organizations interested in supporting regenerative solutions with local farmland managers, facilitating sustainable outcomes.
Margaret Henry, Vice President of Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at PepsiCo, emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving systemic change, stating, “With this latest round of projects, we’re not only fostering this powerful network of innovators across global farmland but growing closer to achieving a more regenerative future, with farmers’ insight at the forefront.”
Since its launch in 2021, the PAO Accelerator has supported a variety of projects, such as adopting efficient irrigation systems, developing kilns to convert agricultural waste into fertilizer, and enhancing soil health. The initiative aligns with PepsiCo’s pep+ transformation, where the Positive Agriculture agenda focuses on investment, innovation, and collaboration with farming partners to create a positive impact on a global scale.
Chris Seymour, a recipient of the 2022 PAO Accelerator funding and a farmer at Seymour Farms in Canada, shared his experience, stating, “With support from PepsiCo’s PAO Accelerator, my team gained new insights that helped improve soil health and profitability for my business, even as weather conditions became more unpredictable over time.”
As part of its pep+ commitments, PepsiCo aims to spread regenerative farming practices across 7 million acres by 2030, improve the livelihoods of over 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain, and sustainably source 100% of its key ingredients. The ongoing investments in agricultural innovation through the PAO Accelerator contribute to achieving these sustainability goals.
Investing in climate-smart innovations is crucial for addressing the evolving climate crisis and setting up farmers for long-term success, as highlighted by Tom Curtis, Director of 3Keel Group Ltd., emphasizing the impact of support from PepsiCo’s PAO Accelerator in accelerating climate action on the ground.
PepsiCo’s commitment to advancing sustainable and regenerative practices in agriculture reflects its dedication to creating a positive impact on the environment, communities, and the global food system. The PAO Accelerator continues to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and positive outcomes in agriculture worldwide.