Transforming the Future of Worldwide Food Systems

This article is sponsored by Olam

How does Olam Agri foresee its role in the future of global food systems, particularly regarding affordability, accessibility, and sustainability?

As a leading agribusiness with a worldwide sourcing network for a variety of staple foods and agricultural products, coupled with strong processing capabilities and a significant presence in rapidly growing emerging markets, we are able to source critical staple crops like rice and wheat from regions where they are produced in abundance and deliver them to areas with high demand. We also process these items as necessary to aid the food security objectives of many markets.

This ability enables us to make food and agricultural products available to numerous countries and populations while keeping prices stable, even in the face of trade disruptions that often require us to adjust our sourcing strategies to meet demands. Furthermore, we work closely with various nations to identify opportunities for domestic crop production, strengthening their agricultural initiatives and food requirements, especially in Africa, where we have established our leadership in food and agriculture over the last 34 years.

What drives us is our commitment to redefining food and agriculture for a more food-secure and sustainable future. Our business relies on the well-being of farmers, and we actively support them, with a particular focus on smallholder farmers who face greater challenges. We ensure they run viable and productive operations while either adopting or exploring climate-smart farming techniques and fostering soil health through regenerative agricultural practices. Only with these efforts can we develop sustainable agricultural supply chains capable of ensuring adequate food production for future generations.

Given the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change, how is Olam Agri helping farmers balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability?

We connect directly with hundreds of thousands of farmers, witnessing the severe impacts of climate change and unpredictable weather on agriculture and livelihoods. The year 2023 witnessed record numbers of heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods, both in intensity and occurrence, with predictions for worsening conditions. Often, it is smallholder farmers in the Global South who suffer the most, having limited access to resources and support to transition to more sustainable farming practices.

Our three core objectives while working directly with farmers and through our partners include enhancing their livelihoods by improving productivity, yield, and profit; adopting agricultural practices that contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation; and employing regenerative agriculture practices that focus on soil health.

In our rice supply chain across major exporting countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Nigeria, we are partnering with over 50,000 smallholder farmers to teach them sustainable farming techniques, such as alternative wetting and drying, which help in reducing water usage, minimizing fertilizer application, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. These initiatives not only enhance their climate resilience and improve soil health but also increase their profitability.

Moreover, we provide farmers with access to high-yield, climate-resilient seed varieties and encourage crop diversification. These efforts enable farmers to improve their household incomes and build resilience against climate change impacts.

For instance, in Nigeria, we recently introduced a new heat-tolerant and early-maturing durum wheat variety that is suitable for cultivation during the dry harmattan season. This advancement allows wheat millers and pasta producers to shift from imports to locally sourced wheat, as part of our Seeds for the Future initiative.

Olam Agri advocates for regenerative agriculture and biodiversity. Can you highlight specific initiatives that demonstrate your commitment in these areas?

We view regenerative agriculture and biodiversity as essential for building sustainable and resilient food systems. This approach enhances soil health via practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, no-tillage, reduced chemical usage, optimized fertilizer application, and holistic grazing. These methods not only improve soil fertility and boost water retention, but also support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and contribute to creating more resilient agricultural systems.

By implementing regenerative agriculture at the landscape level, farmers and stakeholders can work alongside local communities to restore natural habitats and manage water resources sustainably. This holistic approach positively impacts both farm-level results and the surrounding ecosystem, ensuring a sustainable and productive agricultural future.

In 2024, we launched the world’s largest certified regenerative agriculture program within the cotton supply chain to meet the increasing demand for traceable and sustainably produced cotton. This initiative includes cotton sourced from the United States and Côte d’Ivoire, with plans for future expansion in Australia and Brazil. By adopting practices such as rainwater harvesting, minimizing soil disturbance, applying organic manure, and implementing agroforestry, Olam Agri is empowering cotton farmers to strengthen their resilience against climate change.

In the Asia-Pacific region, since 2016, Olam Agri has partnered with public and private sectors to enhance the reach and impact of its regenerative agriculture initiatives. These efforts materialize through various sustainable rice programs implemented in India, Thailand, and Vietnam, which are the three leading rice-exporting countries accounting for nearly 70% of global rice production. To shape a scalable sustainable global model, Olam Agri collaborates closely with governments, donors, civil society, clients, and key players in the rice industry to advance these programs. These initiatives reinforce our significant commitment to integrating regenerative agriculture and biodiversity conservation into our operating model, benefiting both the environment and the communities we serve.

What role does technology play in shaping Olam Agri’s medium-term growth and sustainability goals? Are there specific innovations that excite you?

Technology is a fundamental part of Olam Agri’s strategy for medium-term growth and sustainability. Our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies is central to our plan for improving operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and driving sustainable growth.

A critical area where technology greatly influences our operations is in our Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes. By utilizing advanced digital tools and platforms, we can gather, analyze, and report data with enhanced accuracy and transparency. This capability not only facilitates our progress tracking towards sustainability goals but also ensures compliance with regulatory standards and strengthens stakeholder trust.

We are particularly excited about several innovations poised to transform our operations:

Digital Footprint Calculator: Integrated within our AtSource sustainability management system, this tool allows us to precisely measure the carbon footprint across our supply chains. It provides detailed insights into emissions at each stage, from farm to final product, aiding in the identification and execution of effective carbon reduction strategies.

Terrascope: Our comprehensive decarbonization platform empowers companies across the food, beverage, and agriculture sectors to establish credible pathways towards net-zero emissions. By integrating proprietary data and AI models with extensive sector and sustainability expertise, Terrascope guides enterprises on impactful emission reduction actions.

Zero North Platform: In our freight division, we have invested in the Zero North platform to improve operational efficiency and decrease emissions. This integrated application supports enhanced route planning, vessel performance monitoring, and bunker optimization, leading to significant emission reductions.

Satellite Monitoring and Remote Sensing: We leverage satellite technology to monitor land-use changes, deforestation, and crop health in real-time. This method reinforces our compliance with sustainability standards while enhancing our commitment to safeguarding natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

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