Diageo: Drinks Manufacturer Protects African Agriculture

Diageo, the manufacturing powerhouse behind much-loved beverage brands like Johnnie Walker and Guinness, has just invested US$570,000 into the future of sustainable agriculture across Africa.

This funding is earmarked for cutting-edge agricultural technologies set to benefit smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Diageo aims to equip these farmers with modern tools to better predict and manage the increasingly erratic weather patterns.

The company has joined forces with three pioneering tech firms to further innovation across the region.

This collaboration heralds a new era in farming efficiency and sustainability, introducing IoT sensors, AI and sophisticated data analytics into the farming process.

Diageo's tech alliances elevate farming practices

A standout partner in this trio of tech ventures is AquaSpy, which brings to the table a cloud-based IoT agricultural platform.

This technology provides real-time insights into crop root development and soil moisture levels, empowering farmers with actionable data for better resource allocation and planting decisions.

"One of the key challenges for smallholder farmers in Africa is their exposure to climate change and water scarcity," says John Cant, Head of Diageo Sustainable Solutions.

"We're working with partners to find new solutions that can help to ensure they get the very best from their farms."

Clean Crop Technologies introduces a revolutionary seed surface treatment technique that boosts germination rates and fortifies crops against the harsh realities of extreme weather.

As climate unpredictability threatens agricultural productivity, such innovations are pivotal for ensuring food security.

Smart Cloud Farming's soil mapping prowess offers unprecedented precision in soil health assessment, generating detailed soil maps to support AI-enhanced predictions of crop yields and enabling smarter, data-informed farming strategies.

"This technology has the potential to increase yield and remove uncertainty for the farmers, helping them to earn more from their farms, while giving Diageo the product we need to make great products," John adds.

Diageo: Driving manufacturing & supply chain sustainability

The initial testing of these groundbreaking technologies will take place in Kenya and Uganda. If these pilot programmes achieve their intended outcomes, Diageo plans to roll out these tech solutions more broadly across its African operations.

These pilots underscore Diageo's ongoing commitment to sustainability within its supply chains.

This initiative is a part of the company's broader DSS programme, now in its fourth year, which includes 14 pilot projects tackling various aspects of sustainability and technology.

A highlight among these is a collaborative effort with EXXERGY and the Ardagh Group, which saw the creation of an innovative glass coating.

This technology enables the production of thinner yet robust glass, offering substantial reductions in emissions and resource use.

As climate change presents significant challenges to the global agricultural sector, Diageo's investment in technology will help to protect the livelihoods of farmers in some of the countries most at risk.

By championing the adoption of IoT, AI, and analytics in farming, Diageo not only fortifies its own supply chain against future volatility but also plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience and success of agricultural communities throughout Africa.

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