General Mills Collaborates with Agriculture Tech Startup to Make Cheerios More Environmentally Friendly

Agriculture and Technology: Making Farming Cleaner and More Sustainable

Regenerative Agriculture: Promoting Sustainability and Reducing Emissions

Agriculture and the overall food ecosystem contribute to approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, new technology is providing farmers and major food companies with innovative ways to make farming cleaner and more sustainable. Regenerative agriculture aims to reduce emissions and protect soil through practices like crop rotation, cover crops, increasing biodiversity, composting, and livestock integration. Additionally, it focuses on enhancing crops' resilience to climate change.

Technology Solution: Regrow Ag

Regrow Ag, a startup dedicated to decarbonizing and renewing agriculture, utilizes various data sources and computer modeling to drive sustainable farming practices. It incorporates satellite imagery, weather data, government soil maps, and on-the-ground observations to understand how different conditions affect soil and crop behavior. Working alongside farm management partners like John Deere, Regrow Ag imports crop, yield, and management data into its platform, enabling comprehensive monitoring of approximately 1.2 billion acres. This data allows Regrow Ag to inform both public and private sectors about sustainable practices that contribute to environmental protection, water conservation, soil health, and farm resilience.

Collaboration with General Mills

Regrow Ag sells its comprehensive data to customers like General Mills, a company committed to advancing regenerative agriculture on one million acres of its farmland by 2030. General Mills, which sources ingredients like oats for Cheerios and wheat for Pillsbury from the Great Plains region, relies on Regrow Ag's tools to estimate the impacts of agriculture in those areas. As part of their net-zero emissions pledge, General Mills also provides Regrow Ag's software to farmers, along with payments for ecosystem benefits. This incentivizes farmers to adopt practices that help sequester carbon and remove it from the atmosphere.

Funding and Support

Regrow Ag is backed by Galvanize Climate Solutions, Main Sequence Ventures, Microsoft's M12, Time Ventures, Rethink Impact, and Cargill. With a total funding of approximately $60 million to date, the company continues to innovate and expand its reach in driving sustainable agriculture practices.

By integrating technology and data-driven solutions into agriculture, Regrow Ag and similar companies are paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable food ecosystem. Through partnerships with major food corporations and ongoing support from various investors, they are making significant strides in reducing emissions and promoting the long-term health of our planet.

The Potential Impact of Agriculture Technology on New Businesses

The integration of agriculture and technology, driven by companies like Regrow Ag, is revolutionizing the farming industry by making it cleaner and more sustainable. This presents a unique opportunity for new businesses to enter and thrive in the agricultural sector while addressing the urgent need for environmental protection and carbon reduction.

With regenerative agriculture at the forefront, new businesses can tap into the growing demand for sustainable food production practices. By adopting data-driven solutions and leveraging advanced technologies, they can offer innovative services and products that help farmers reduce emissions, improve soil health, and enhance resilience to climate change.

Partnering with established corporations, such as General Mills, can provide crucial support and market access for new businesses. Collaborations allow for the exchange of valuable data and resources, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that drives sustainable practices and helps farmers transition to regenerative agriculture methods.

Funding and investment opportunities in the agriculture technology sector are also on the rise. Given the awareness and urgency surrounding sustainability, venture capitalists, impact investors, and large corporations are keen to support innovations that contribute to a greener and healthier future. New businesses in this space have the potential to attract significant funding, facilitating growth and expansion.

In conclusion, the intersection of agriculture and technology offers a fertile ground for new businesses to make a positive impact. By aligning their goals with the global need for sustainable farming practices, these ventures can drive innovation, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and support the long-term health of our planet while also securing their success in a rapidly evolving market.



Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/general-mills-is-paying-this-startup-to-help-make-cheerios-greener.html