McCain has announced plans for a second Farms of the Future project in South Africa as part of the brand’s plan to cut carbon emissions and tackle the impacts of climate change.
The company will grow 125 ha potatoes per year on two South African locations totalling 465 ha irrigation and 90 ha dryland. However, the farm will also have the potential to grow multiple crops per year.
The farm will focus on enhancing productivity while prioritising soil health, water efficiency, the reduction of agro-chemical impacts and the preservation of biodiversity.
McCain plans to open three Farms of the Future sites in different growing regions around the world by 2025 and currently already has one open in New Brunswick, Canada.
“This is a critical moment,” said Max Koeune, McCain CEO. “The strain that global supply chains are under right now is shining a stark light on how exposed we are, with a food system that requires a radical transformation to address the challenges of our century.
“If we don’t change the way we farm, feeding the world in 30 years will require an 87% increase in carbon emissions. The implications of that are bleak – and we cannot allow it to happen.”
The brand hopes to use the Farm of the Future Africa to innovate with irrigation technology in a water-scarce region, to learn about how to manage challenges of pests and disease and to discover how best to leverage rapidly developing technology. The brand hopes it will be able to carry over these learnings into other parts of the world.
“Farmers are on the frontline here – they see the impacts every day, with extreme weather wreaking havoc on the growing season,” added Koeune. “Working collaboratively, we believe this transformation will ensure both McCain and our farmers will have a business for generations to come.”
The first farm opened by McCain in Canada has seen strong yields after one year of operation, with fertiliser application down by more than 16% compared with typical McCain growers in the area, the brand said.
This commitment comes as part of the frozen giant’s commitment to sourcing all its potatoes from farms using fully regenerative methods by 2030 – a pledge that would encompass some 370,000 acres of land.
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