Sentera, AB InBev partner to grow beer ingredients through AI

Sentera announced a long-term partnership with Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV ('AB InBev'), under which Sentera will deliver critical enabling technology for AB InBev's SmartBarley platform which helps growers improve their productivity and secure the supply chain of the future.

 

SmartBarley will use Sentera's technology to deliver unique agronomic insights with incredible, acre-by-acre precision. AB InBev's team of expert agronomists will access this data to deliver value for some of their most valuable partners - the farmers that produce the high-quality ingredients inside AB InBev's products.

 

Driven by real-time weather data, satellite, drone, and mobile phone imagery, and field activity information, SmartBarley's analytics and alerting tools give agronomists unparalleled capability to rapidly detect problems, analyze alternatives, and work with farmers to take action. Precise, accurate data enables tailored application of crop inputs and water resources, eliminating overapplication and overuse of products and delivering the insights needed for growers to optimize land stewardship.

 

"We are excited to support AB InBev around sustainability and grower empowerment," said Eric Taipale, CEO at Sentera. "AB InBev has made a powerful set of commitments to its growers, customers, and stakeholders. Likewise, Sentera's technology has repeatedly demonstrated that farmer success, economic empowerment, and sustainable practices go hand-in-hand. This is a dramatic first for the CPG market, and we are proud to be teamed with AB InBev in this effort."

 

Sentera works with many of the largest agriculture, forestry, and consumer-packaged goods companies to help drive efficiency and productivity through AI-driven digital insights.

 

AB InBev supports the livelihood of farming communities worldwide through teams of researchers and agronomists working directly with over 30,000 farmers across 13 countries and five continents, to grow beer ingredients - including barley, corn, rice, hops, sorghum and cassava.

 

In addition to having access to powerful tools, data and insights, farmers will be supported as part of AB InBev's sustainability 2025 initiative, which aims to help farmers become more skilled, connected and financially empowered.

 

"Partnering with Sentera allows us to dramatically accelerate progress toward achieving our 2025 sustainability goal to ensure 100% of our direct farmers are skilled, connected and financially empowered," said Ezgi Barcenas, global vice president of sustainability at AB InBev. "Technology and innovation play pivotal roles in reaching our goal as well as ensuring the long-term viability of our supply chains. Sentera is a key strategic partner in helping us achieve this commitment."

 

According to Taipale, the partnership with AB InBev aligns with Sentera's mission and core competencies.

 

"We strive to lead the market for in-season insights that maximize yield and profitability and help create a sustainable, secure global food supply," Taipale said. "AB InBev is the perfect partner in this effort."

 

ABInBev and Sentera have worked together since 2017 throughout the world. SmartBarley is now live in the countries and continents where AB InBev has direct barley growing programs.