Cargill’s “1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity” program, which supports over 6,000 farmers in Türkiye, has been recognized in the social and cultural impact category of the Edison Awards

WAYZATA, MN (April 19, 2024) – The Edison Awards™, named after the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, recognize some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world. For the second consecutive year, Cargill is honored to be recognized across three 2024 Edison Awards™ categories for innovations in Smart Transportation, Health & Beauty Care Solutions and Social & Cultural Impact – Environmental Solutions.

Cargill’s 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity’s won gold award in the Social & Cultural Impact – Environmental Solutions category. Now in its sixth year, the program aims to improve farmers' welfare, enhance their productivity, and foster social and digital transformation in agriculture by promoting regenerative agricultural practices. Since its launch, it has benefitted over 6,700 farmers across 27 provinces in Türkiye, covering 91,000+ hectares dedicated to corn, sunflower, and canola production. 

Murat Tarakçıoğlu, Managing Director of Food Solutions META, explains that “inclusive sustainable development is achievable through the socio-economic development of society. With our program, we contribute to 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity Program is a compelling example of how the food system can continue to meet the needs of a rapidly growing world population in a responsible and sustainable manner.”

Osman Ateşoğlu, a program farmer from Konya, described the yield increase he has experienced thanks to the program, "before joining the program, we used to achieve a yield of 180 kg/ha in canola cultivation. Now, we are able to achieve 250 kg/ha. The 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity Program has provided us with a 60% yield increase and boosted our earnings."

Cargill was also recognized for the following innovations:

[GOLD] Smart Transportation: Cargill and BAR Technologies’ WindWings innovation has been recognized as groundbreaking technology that could bring cutting edge wind propulsion to commercial shipping for the first time. Since her launch in August 2023, the world’s first dry bulk wind-powered ocean vessel, the Pyxis Ocean, has so far reported average fuel savings of around 14% - the equivalent of taking 485 cars off the road.  

[BRONZE] Health & Beauty Care Solutions:​ BotaniDesign™ 105 is a plant-based alternative which can be used as a 1:1 replacement for petroleum jelly. This 100% naturally derived, plant-based, readily biodegradable alternative to petroleum jelly is highly moisturizing and can be included in a range of health/beauty products/applications.

“Innovations begin with innovators. Our teams are continuously reimagining what’s possible and laying the groundwork to deliver big and bold innovations in food and agriculture,” said Florian Schattenmann, Cargill’s chief technology officer and vice president of Innovation and Research & Development. “This recognition underscores the wonderful work from our teams and our purpose to nourish the world and deliver solutions that are better for our health, environment, and people.”

All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards’ Steering Committee and an executive judging body. The panel is comprised of more than 2,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing and education, as well as past winners.

For more information on the Edison Awards, please visit www.edisonawards.com