Research on cocoa is the topic of an agreement between Cargill and a vertical farming startup.
Minneapolis, Minnesota A multi-year research collaboration between Cargill and the vertical farming startup AeroFarms aims to increase cocoa bean yields and create better climate-resilient agricultural techniques.
The companies will also look on methods to enhance the flavor and color possibilities of the cocoa bean. The partnership combines the expertise of Minneapolis-based Cargill in cocoa agronomy and production techniques with the experience of AeroFarms in controlled environment agriculture.
According to Niels Boetje, general director of Cargill Cocoa Europe, “environmental challenges and growing demand for cocoa products are placing increased pressure on the global cocoa supply chain.” In order to increase the productivity and resilience of conventional cocoa farming operations,
we are working across sectors in audacious experiments through partnerships with research institutes, universities, and forward-thinking businesses like AeroFarms. To help guarantee a flourishing cocoa sector for future generations, we look forward to sharing our results with the farmer cooperatives in our cocoa supply chain.
At AeroFarms’ worldwide headquarters in Newark, NJ, exploratory work has started. The AeroFarms AgX Research & Development indoor vertical farm in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will eventually be the site of research. Early in 2022, that facility is expected to open.
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As co-founder and CEO of AeroFarms, David Rosenberg stated, “AeroFarms shares a similar vision as Cargill to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.”
“We are thrilled to be working on another project with them, this time focused on cocoa. We have grown over 550 different crops.” Our proprietary technology at AeroFarms is viewed as a platform to maximize data gathering and analytics, digital controls, mechanical systems, operational systems, environmental systems, and plant biology and genetics.