|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food Loss Challenge for start-ups, launched by Rabobank, debuts in Asia
|
|
Monday, 10 September, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
|
Rabobank, a leading global bank in food, agriculture and sustainability, has launched the Food Loss Challenge Asia. Debuting in Asia, the open innovation challenge will see disruptive start-ups present their ag-tech solutions to reduce food loss to a platform of leading food and agriculture (F&A) industry leaders, investors and other start-ups.
The Challenge aims to address the global problem of food loss. Every year, 1.3 billion tonne of food is lost worldwide, whilst the world population is expected to increase by two billion people to over nine billion people.
To meet the increased demand for food, global food production will have to increase by at least 60 per cent, while at the same time, arable land and natural resources are nearing their limits.
To address this fundamental concern, Rabobank is committed to contribute to one of the most pressing issues identified by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to halve food loss by 2030.
Against this backdrop, Rabobank Asia is launching the Food Loss Challenge Asia, an initiative to facilitate constructive dialogue between solutions providers, F&A corporates and smallholder farmers.
“As the leading global bank in food and agri and sustainability, Rabobank recognises its responsibility to help address the world’s food challenges of increased demand for food, changing consumer preferences and the need for sustainable food production,” said Diane Boogaard, chief executive officer, Rabobank Asia.
“This is why we kick-start the Food Loss Challenge Asia with our partners. One of our priorities is to leverage on our food and agri knowledge and expertise, and advise our clients to adopt a more sustainable food production,” she added.
“This will enable a more efficient use of raw materials and will improve the stability of food supply and efficiency of the food value chain,” Boogard said.
“Most food loss happens on the journey between the farm and the supermarket shelf,” explained Mark van Binsbergen, chief executive officer, Rabobank Singapore, and innovation lead, Asia, Rabobank.
“Hence we are looking for innovative ag-tech solutions mainly focusing on the pre-consumption phase. Solutions could be in the area of improving agricultural production and farm management, quality control, market access, logistics, packaging & preservation and processing,” he added.
Albert Boogaard, head of Innovations, Rabobank Foundation, said, “Especially at the farmer’s level, we see huge opportunity for improvement. While productivity is increasing, the supporting post-harvest infrastructure has not kept the pace and a substantial part of produce is lost even before the harvest takes place.”
“Since the vast majority of farmers in Asia are smallholders, we are excited to be involved in this challenge, as the impact for our target group can be huge,” he added.
“For Rabobank, it is important to help spur innovative and technology solutions that will help address the world’s food challenges. The Challenge provides an exciting platform for start-ups to access mentorship and connections to grow their businesses. We look forward to the applications,” stated Diane Boogaard.
Applications for Rabobank Food Loss Challenge Asia are now open. Start-ups that are both product-ready and business-ready are encouraged to apply before 11:59pm, Singapore time, on September 19, 2018.
The top 20 shortlisted will be invited to attend the Pitch Day in Singapore on October 26, 2018.
The top five finalists will be invited to the finale in Singapore at Rabobank Asia’s Food and Agribusiness Advisory Board meeting, which is Rabobank Asia’s premier event bringing together C-suite level decisions makers of leading food and agribusiness companies.
The Challenge is supported by Rabobank Foundation and Partners of Rabobank, who all want to contribute to Rabobank’s mission of growing a better world together. They will act as the judges of the Challenge and will share insight or tips to help selected start-ups scale their impact.
These include:
- Archer Daniels Midland Company, one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with approximately 31,000 employees serving customers in over 170 countries;
- Charoen Pokphand Group, a globally integrated agro-industrial and food business that strives to be the kitchen of the world and deliver high-quality products for four billion consumers;
- UPL Ltd, a leading company with integrated technology-based solutions for crop protection, seeds and post-harvest solutions, is engaged with large and small holding farmers to increase both, productivity and farm income. Headquartered in India, UPL Ltd has a sales turnover of $2.5 billion and is present in 130 countries, and
- Temasek, an investment company headquartered in Singapore with a global presence across 11 offices, including London, New York and San Francisco
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|