The Jojoba Promise, Part Two: Transforming farming with Cargill Beauty’s tech solutions

23 Nov 2023 --- Personal Care Insights speaks to Aude le Grand, marketing innovation manager at Cargill Beauty, who addresses technologies used to advance sustainable jojoba cultivation following the launch of the Jojoba Promise. Le Grand delves into how the company plans to measure the initiative’s success and the challenges foreseen in implementing its global program.

What innovations is Cargill Beauty introducing to enhance the sustainability of jojoba cultivation?
Le Grand: We assist our partners in acquiring cutting-edge equipment and machinery within the Jojoba Promise. This not only minimizes the reliance on manual labor in challenging conditions but also enhances overall yield.

Addressing the essential needs outlined by our suppliers, Cargill Beauty has played a pivotal role in facilitating jojoba harvesting by identifying and supporting necessary equipment. This includes the implementation of destoners, crucial for removing rocks from jojoba seeds, tree shakers to ensure proper seed collection, and woodchippers along with compost mixers to aid in compost creation for transforming sandy landscapes into fertile grounds suitable for jojoba cultivation. 

Recognizing the importance of these tools, we assisted suppliers in locating equipment manufacturers near them and provided financial support for equipment acquisition. Beyond the provision of machinery, Cargill Beauty has shared expertise on optimal equipment usage based on our internal knowledge of jojoba. While the full impact on harvests, yields and incomes is yet to be fully realized, we are committed to tracking these outcomes in Egypt and Peru over the upcoming seasons, aiming to comprehensively assess the positive influence on our farmers in the years ahead.

The Jojoba Promise is based on a solid sustainable sourcing strategy, focusing on resilient farmers and communities, sustainable water use and traceability.As far as sustainable water consumption is concerned, Cargill Beauty will implement state-of-the-art irrigation technologies such as sub-surface where possible, allowing up to 30% savings. 

In what ways will Jojoba Promise reduce the environmental footprint of jojoba cultivation?
Le Grand: Enhancing water access and utilization throughout our Jojoba supply chain is imperative. We’ve instituted impactful measures such as drip irrigation, markedly reducing water usage in jojoba cultivation. Ensuring that 100% of our suppliers employ drip irrigation in Jojoba fields reflects our commitment to sustainable practices. 

We’re actively valorizing reclaimed water, tapping into diverse sources like rainwater and recycled water from urban and agricultural areas. In regions like Peru and Egypt, where reliance on underground water is high, we identify and implement alternative sources, including sub-surface irrigation, where feasible. 

Meanwhile, the introduction of sub-surface irrigation in Israel showcases our dedication to innovative water conservation. These initiatives collectively result in a substantial impact, achieving over 30% savings in irrigation water across our jojoba supply chain.

How will Cargill measure the success and impact of this sustainability initiative over time?
Le Grand: To gauge the success and impact of our sustainability initiative in jojoba cultivation, we’ve established a comprehensive set of metrics and Key Performance Indicators aligned with our core pillars. Progress will be tracked annually as part of Cargill Beauty Promise, Cargill’s overarching sustainability strategy to address the Personal Care industry.

Under the umbrella of resilient farmers and communities, we’ll be focusing on supplier training, encompassing aspects such as good agricultural practices and workplace conditions. Ensuring income equity throughout the supply chain is a priority, and we will aim at fair distribution among Cargill’s customers, suppliers and the farmers they support. 

Additionally, our commitment to community support is reflected in our aim to enhance the well-being of communities surrounding our farmers, potentially through programs addressing water access and health. 

In pursuit of sustainable water use, we’re implementing cutting-edge irrigation technologies and encouraging water source diversification among our suppliers, complemented by efforts to track and reduce water losses.

The Jojoba Promise will be applied across all jojobas purchased by Cargill Beauty and used to manufacture jojoba derivatives at Cargill’s Arizona facilities (Image credit: Cargill Beauty).On the front of traceability, our goal is an outside certification for all suppliers, assuring seed traceability. Going beyond, we’re embarking on dedicated projects to establish robust traceability systems in collaboration with our suppliers. This holistic approach to monitoring and evaluation underscores our dedication to meaningful and enduring sustainability in jojoba cultivation.

Has Cargill encountered any challenges in implementing sustainable practices in jojoba cultivation, and how is it being addressed?
Le Grand: Jojoba’s resilience to poor water supply doesn’t negate the need for irrigation, introducing potential environmental and societal risks tied to water sources like seawater, wastewater or groundwater. In the context of climate-related environmental risks, jojoba’s adaptability to arid conditions doesn’t exempt it from the broader impacts of climate change witnessed in cultivation countries. Understanding the GHG emissions linked to Jojoba cultivation is deemed essential, given the varying degrees influenced by a country’s energy mix.

To overcome those challenges presently, all our suppliers employ drip irrigation, a highly efficient technology that minimizes water losses due to evaporation, which is particularly crucial in arid regions. Furthermore, a noteworthy number of our suppliers are actively valorizing reclaimed water, embracing sources like rainwater and recycled water from urban and agricultural areas to diversify their water supply beyond finite underground sources.

Looking ahead, our planned activities involve collaborating with suppliers in water-stressed areas, assisting them in identifying alternative water sources to bolster their water resilience for future jojoba cultivation. Additionally, we aim to transition suppliers from drip irrigation to sub-surface irrigation, a subterranean variant that further reduces evaporation and water requirements, aligning with our unwavering commitment to sustainable water practices in jojoba cultivation.

In part one of this interview, le Grand discusses why the company chose to narrow focus on the jojoba crop and how its Jojoba Promise program improves sustainable cultivation and social benefits.

By Venya Patel