~The company’s Biochar Initiative continues to benefit local farmers while improving air and soil quality~
New Delhi, March 20, 2023: PepsiCo India has extended its Biochar Initiative, a pilot crop residue
management program, to the Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana districts of Punjab as a potential solution to address the pressing issue of stubble burning in the northern states of India. This initiative will continue to work with more farmers in Punjab
to better manage harvest residue by using furnaces known as retort kilns to produce biochar fertilizer through a process called pyrolysis.
According to Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), stubble burning in Punjab released 6.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases and particulate matter between September 15 and November 2, 2022. Biochar
production and usage has the potential to reduce GHG emissions significantly compared to other forms of disposal such as heaping while improving soil health and water retention.
PepsiCo India's Biochar Initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Through these efforts, the company also aims to improve the per hectare crop yields for
small and marginal farmers while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Speaking about the initiative, Anukool Joshi, Director - Agro at PepsiCo India said, “Enhancing soil function and health using biochar can increase agricultural output and reduce expenses related to nutrient and environmental effects. In comparison to other crop residue management options, our preliminary data has shown increased net benefit to the farmers through the adoption of biochar.”
He further added “Although the Biochar initiative is still in its pilot stage, we think it is a potential solution to the negative impacts of stubble burning on air and soil quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural supply chain. At PepsiCo India, we are dedicated to introducing sustainable farm practices like biochar that can create a more resilient future for both agriculture and agricultural communities”.
Today, PepsiCo in India works directly and indirectly with over 27,000 farmers across 14 states, sourcing 100% of the potatoes for its Lay’s brand in India from Indian farmers.
Mr. Naginder Singh, owner of the farm where PepsiCo India commissioned the first retort kiln, highlights the benefits he sees from the adoption of biochar, “PepsiCo India helped us to set up furnaces to produce biochar. After the biochar is prepared, we spread it into the fields that are ready for cultivation. I would recommend biochar to all farmers. Using it helps our soil and saves our environment from further pollution, while reducing the use of chemical fertilizers”.
Driven by PepsiCo Positive (pep+), the company’s strategic, end-to-end business transformation, PepsiCo seeks to build more healthy, sustainable, and inclusive
food systems by sourcing crops and ingredients in ways that restore the earth and strengthen farming communities. By 2030, the company aims to drive the adoption of regenerative farming practices across 7 million acres, improve the livelihoods of
more than 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain, and sustainably source 100% of its key ingredients. The latest extension of PepsiCo’s Biochar Initiative is another strong step toward achieving these goals, as the company continues
its Positive Agriculture journey across global markets, including India.
*****
Press Inquiries:
PepsiCo India: Amit.Nanchahal@pepsico.com
About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient
foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more
than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create
value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
About PepsiCo India:
PepsiCo entered India in 1989 and has grown to become one of the largest food and beverage businesses in India. PepsiCo India’s diverse portfolio includes iconic brands like Pepsi, Lay’s, Kurkure, Tropicana 100%, Gatorade and Quaker. Guiding
PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Pep+ “Winning with Pep+” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business. We
believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our
shareholders. In 2009, PepsiCo India achieved a significant milestone, by becoming the first business to achieve ‘Positive Water Balance’ in the beverage world, a fact verified by Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd. The company
has been Water Positive since then. For more information, please visit www.pepsicoindia.co.in