Is This 'Super Tree' The Future of Bioenergy and Plant-Based Protein? | Naveen Sikka of Terviva

·42 min·4 clips

Why is a 'super tree' being developed to replace soybeans and palm oil for global protein and bioenergy?

The episode begins by highlighting the global dependence on soy and palm oil and the risks of crop concentration. Naveen Sikka shares his background as a UC Berkeley MBA student interested in biofuels, leading to a 2009 trip to India where he saw pangamia trees thriving on poor-quality land. He founded Terviva in 2010 after winning a $100,000 investment pitch. Pangamia is a legume tree native to Southeast Asia, used historically in India for medicinal purposes and non-edible applications like soap. Terviva faced challenges with the bean's bitterness, but research with Texas A&M led to using ethanol to remove bitter compounds, enabling use in animal feed and food. Early cultivation efforts focused on Florida and Hawaii, leveraging local agricultural shifts like Florida's citrus decline. Funding has come from non-traditional investors, with Terviva positioning as a biotech platform. Strategic partnerships, such as with Mitsubishi, help with processing and market access. Naveen discusses the long-term perspective, comparing pangamia to the historical development of soy and palm oil. He emphasizes the crop's potential in the face of climate change and deglobalization, offering regionalized supply. Yields are currently 2.5-3 tons per acre, with projections of 4 tons, dubbed 'vertical soy' for its airspace use. The episode concludes with Naveen reflecting on impact, aiming for both scalability and profitable exits to advance ag tech.

As heard by us

A grounded look at the long work of turning pangamia from promising tree crop into a commercial technology platform.

Terviva founder Naveen Sika frames pangamia as a possible alternative to the heavy reliance on soybeans and palm for protein, fat, fiber, food, feed, and fuel.

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You get a rare look at what it takes to bring a new tree crop toward commercialization.

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