Diageo Pioneers Farming Climate Tech in East Africa
Diageo, the beverage leader known for brands like Johnnie Walker and Guinness, recently announced its collaboration with three pioneering tech companies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on harvests.
With a bold commitment, Diageo is addressing the pressing farming challenges posed by climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, committing up to US$570,000 towards developing advanced agricultural monitoring technologies.
Unveiled on 5 September 2024, these partnerships are crafted to empower smallholder farmers with innovative technologies that provide detailed insights into soil and crop health.
This initiative comes as a timely solution to counter the unpredictable weather patterns causing droughts and floods, which have severely affected harvests in the region.
John Cant, Head of Diageo Sustainable Solutions (DSS), said: "One of the key challenges for smallholder farmers in Africa is their exposure to climate change and water scarcity. We're working with partners to find new solutions that can help to ensure they get the very best from their farms.
“This technology has the potential to increase yield and remove uncertainty for the farmers, helping them to earn more from their farms, while giving Diageo the product we need to make great products."
Introducing Diageo’s innovative partners
Diageo's partnerships bring unique and complementary technological solutions. Here are the three partners and how they innovate in the climate tech space.
1. AquaSpy: This cloud-based IoT agriculture platform equips farmers with deep insights into crop roots and soil conditions through seasons, enabling better planning and resource management
2. Clean Crop Technologies: Specialising in a novel seed surface treatment, this technology speeds up germination and boosts crops' resistance to extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods, crucial for climate-vulnerable regions
3. Smart Cloud Farming: Offers precision soil mapping through advanced soil monitoring and scanning techniques. These accurate soil maps are essential for forecasting crop yields, facilitating data-driven farming decisions.
Initial pilot programmes are set to roll out in Kenya and Uganda, with plans to expand these technologies across Diageo's supply chain in Africa, contingent upon the success of these trials.
Sustainability at the core
Diageo's latest initiative reinforces its deep-seated commitment to sustainability, adding to its portfolio of 14 pilot projects designed to tackle environmental challenges.
Among these is a notable collaboration with EXXERGY and the Ardagh Group aims to develop a thinner, yet robust glass coating, thereby reducing emissions and resource usage in manufacturing.
The DSS programme, established four years ago, exemplifies Diageo's dedication to sustainable innovation, leveraging partnerships to benefit both the environment and its business operations.
Empowering through sustainable techniques
In a world where climate change increasingly threatens agricultural productivity, especially in vulnerable regions, initiatives like Diageo’s highlight the transformative potential of corporate involvement in sustainable development.
By addressing the challenges faced by farmers, Diageo secures its supply chain and contributes to the resilience and prosperity of agricultural communities in Africa.
John added: "This technology has the potential to increase yield and remove uncertainty for the farmers, helping them to earn more from their farms, while giving Diageo the product we need to make great products."
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