Agritech company Farmers Edge and Merit Functional Foods have launched a pilot programme aimed at improving the production, quality, traceability, and marketing opportunities of Canadian protein crops.
Merit is a Canadian producer of non-GMO pea protein and now marketing non-GMO canola protein. The collaborative programme is aimed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the ingredients produced by Merit, thereby increasing returns for growers and creating a reliable food supply to meet increasing demand for plant-based food globally.
This partnership is planned to utilise connected field sensors and big data analytics to create a solution that enhances predictive modelling, digital traceability, and connectivity within the agri-food supply chain. The pilot’s marketing element will focus on matching buyers to producers, executing contracts, and searching out or monitoring regulatory and other standards. A digitised process will allow producers to participate in the programme and access global markets.
As the demand for plant protein rises, so does the demand for transparency in the market and the ability to trace the origin of foods back to the farm, the companies suggest. Farmers Edge provides a digital platform including crop types, plant dates, applications, and other data. This information is automatically stored, making traceability a clear-cut process.
“This new programme designed by Farmers Edge is the perfect match for Merit’s plant protein ingredient solutions,” said Dan Kraft, VP of Operations for Merit. “We can source the highest quality, non-GMO ingredients for our customers, while rewarding growers for their modern farming practices. The transparency of this platform provides food companies and consumers with assurance that their food was produced in a way that meets regulatory standards and best aligns with their values and expanded expectations.”
“This collaboration with Merit adds another layer of value to digital adoption,” said Wade Barnes, Farmers Edge CEO and founder. “As a farmer myself, I know how much effort is required to meet increasing demands for transparency and traceability. Our unique infrastructure equips growers with tools to manage data digitally, to track applications automatically, and to generate reports more effortlessly. Consumers can easily track the food on their plate back to the farm that it came from, and that provides peace of mind.”