We accelerate impact.
Terviva and pongamia are increasingly recognized as the most advanced, high-potential new crop for the bioeconomy. No other commercial crop can restore land and sink carbon as effectively while replacing unsustainably-grown products.
Carbon removal
High yield pongamia trees are natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing CO2 at a rate of 100 MT carbon/acre over 20 years.
Terviva has pre-sold carbon credits and continues to receive interest from partners eager to reduce their impact through both tree planting and product offtake.
Replace destructive products with low-carbon alternatives
We transform pongamia beans into sustainable biofuel, animal feed, and Ponova® food ingredients — significantly lower carbon alternatives to the traditional products they replace.
Crude pongamia oil used for energy has a carbon intensity (“CI”) score less than half of soybean oil and other popular oils. Additionally, Ponova® oil and protein ingredients produce an estimated 75% less GHG emissions than other plant-based alternatives.
Water efficient
Pongamia’s deep taproots enable its natural drought tolerance, while Terviva’s regenerative farming practices further enhance water efficiency. Water consumption may be reduced by up to 75% compared to similar crops.
Pongamia performs in both water-scarce environments and in monsoon regions, reducing pressure on freshwater resources.
Soil health
Pongamia is a nitrogen-fixing perennial, allowing farmers to avoid nitrogen fertilizer use while improving soil fertility and revitalizing degraded land.
Our regenerative practices prioritize soil health by maximizing root growth, fostering a thriving ecosystem that supports robust plant development.
Biodiversity
We have the horticultural expertise to maximize yield and drive pollination through companion planting and balanced density. Pongamia's canopy is ideal for biodiversity and supports native pollinators.
Scalable
We have laid the foundations to scale pongamia globally—perfecting low-cost maintenance practices, pioneering cost-effective mechanical harvesting, and unlocking the potential of existing oilseed infrastructure for pongamia processing.
Community
Our agroforestry supply chain provides new opportunities and economic diversification in mostly rural/village areas in India. Over 1,000 women community leaders manage our wild harvesting and bean collection, and our partnerships have positively impacted tens of thousands of people.
As we scale globally, particularly with smallholder farmers, we are poised to drive even more positive community impact through our promotion of better land stewardship, conservation, and access to new markets.
See how pongamia stacks up
US soybean
- Annual leguminous plant
- 0.25 MT oil yield/acre
- 1.1 MT estimated protein/acre
- Nitrogen-fixing
- Low carbon storage
Oil palm
- Resource-intensive perennial tree
- 2-4 MT oil yield/acre
- 0.35 MT estimated protein/acre
- Low carbon storage
High-yield pongamia
- Leguminous, permanent tree crop
- 1.5 MT oil yield/acre
- 2.5 MT estimated protein/acre
- Nitrogen-fixing
- High carbon storage
- Can grow on degraded land
- Salt-tolerant
Macauba
- Brazilian palm with deep roots
- 1+ MT oil yield/acre
- 1.25-2 MT estimated protein/acre
- Can grow on degraded land
- High carbon storage
Camelina
- Annual oilseed mustard plant
- 0.2-0.4 MT oil yield/acre
- 0.4 MT estimated protein/acre
- Can grow on degraded land
- Low carbon storage
Jatropha
- Perennial shrub/small tree
- 0.25 MT oil yield/acre
- 0.2 MT estimated protein/acre
- Can grow on degraded land
- Medium carbon storage