Terviva
Terviva, founded in 2010, partners with farmers to grow climate-resilient pongamia trees for reforestation and sustainable products, including biofuel and food ingredients under the Ponova® brand.
Company History
Terviva was founded in 2010 with a focus on promoting sustainable agriculture through the cultivation of pongamia trees. Since its inception, the company has established various partnerships with farmers across the globe to facilitate the growth of pongamia, a climate-resilient and biodiverse tree. Notably, Terviva has worked to replace citrus crops in Florida and has also put to use former pineapple and sugar cane fields in Hawai'i for pongamia cultivation.
Pongamia-Based Products
Terviva transforms pongamia beans into a variety of sustainable products under the brand name Ponova®. These products include Ponova® oil, which is neutral with a buttery mouthfeel and contains Omega 9. Ponova® protein includes all 9 essential amino acids and exhibits superior solubility, while Ponova® flour offers gluten-like functionality and a high protein content of 40%. Additionally, Terviva explores biofuel options such as biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel derived from pongamia oil.
Environmental Impact
Pongamia trees are known for their environmental benefits including carbon sequestration, soil health improvement, and water quality enhancement. Each pongamia tree can remove one tonne of carbon dioxide in its first 20 years, and an acre of pongamia orchard removes an average of five tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The trees' nitrogen-fixing capabilities help replenish soil health while their network of lateral roots controls soil erosion. Furthermore, pongamia trees' resilience to annual monsoonal drought and flood cycles make them suitable for climate adaptation.
Global Partnerships and Initiatives
Terviva operates a global, equitable, and transparent supply chain, sourcing non-GMO pongamia beans from India and partnering with U.S. growers in states like Florida. The company pays 30-65% over the minimum government support price for wild harvest pongamia beans in India and impacts over 40,000 lives through its 2023 harvest. Additionally, Terviva has announced a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation in December 2023 to further its agricultural and environmental mission.
Company Headquarters and Nurseries
Terviva's headquarters are located in Alameda, California. To support its operations, the company has established nurseries in key locations: Fort Pierce, FL, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, and Haleiwa, Hawaii. These nurseries are integral in fostering pongamia seedlings that are distributed to farmers and agricultural communities involved in Terviva's sustainable initiatives.