PURCHASE, N.Y.,-PepsiCo today announced plans to roll-out its new i-crop farming technology on a global basis. The web-based tool, which was developed by PepsiCo in conjunction with Cambridge University, United Kingdom, is a crop management system that will enable PepsiCo's farmers around the world to monitor, manage and reduce their water use and carbon emissions, while also maximizing potential yield and quality.
As one of the world's largest food and beverage businesses, with brands including Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, PepsiCo is a major investor in global farming. In 2009, the company announced 15 global goals and commitments to guide its work to protect the Earth's natural resources through innovation and more efficient use of land, energy, water and packaging.
In the U.K., the company is the largest purchaser of British potatoes and one of the largest purchasers of British oats and apples, using 100 percent British produce in Walkers crisps, Copella English Apple juice, Quaker Oats, Oatso Simple and Scott's porage.
In its first Sustainable Farming Report published yesterday, PepsiCo U.K. outlined how it is working in partnership with its 350 British farmers to reach its aim of '50 in 5'. Other initiatives announced include trials of new low-carbon fertilizers and plans to replace more than 75 percent of PepsiCo U.K.'s current potato stock with varieties that will significantly improve farmers' yields and decrease wastage by 2015. A full copy of the report is available for download at www.pepsico.co.uk/farming.
Commenting on the PepsiCo U.K. sustainable farming report, Richard Perkins, Senior Commodities Adviser at WWF said, "The food industry is starting to recognize that in order to fully embed sustainability and biodiversity in its business practices, a large part of the focus must be on the agricultural supply chain. In this respect PepsiCo U.K. has taken a leadership role in recognizing that it is, at its heart, an agricultural business. The focus of the business on improving its key environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions - in the field and on the farm - is most welcome."
SOURCE: PepsiCo