Agriculture analytics provider CropX and PepsiCo México have expanded their collaboration to help PepsiCo's Mexican potato farmers reduce water and fertilizer consumption, improve soil health, lower greenhouse emissions and improve crop yields, the companies announced Thursday.
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PepsiCo has set a number of interconnected goals that aim to contribute to its positive water impact, designing its efforts and partnerships to enable long-term, sustainable water security for its business, and setting the ambitious goal of 15% water reduction by 2025. As part of this effort, CropX collaborates with PepsiCo Mexico to help the producers supplying the potatoes used for its products reduce the water used for potato production.
CropX ran pilot tests in partnership with PepsiCo Mexico of the sensors and technological solutions offered by CropX, with the objective of demonstrating reductions in water used for potato production under drip and pivot irrigation. CropX's sensors were deployed across several fields owned by two farmers supplying PepsiCo. The data collected by CropX's sensors was monitored continuously throughout the season and the actionable insights generated by CropX's algorithms helped the farmers make science-based decisions. The results were significant – 'Best Ag Practices' plots where CropX tech was used achieved higher yield, while applying 15% less water and less fertilizers, compared to the control group. The combined water and fertilizer savings had also curbed down greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
"The collaboration with PepsiCo will help the Mexican potato farming industry become more efficient and sustainable. We're very excited to have partnered with one of the world's leading food corporations which has committed to help tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges," said CropX director of business development Matan Rahav.
