REHOVOT, ISRAEL. — Aleph Farms has joined the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate initiative as an Innovation Sprint Partner.
As part of the initiative, the cultivated meat producer will invest $40 million into R&D for cellular agriculture over the next five years.
“We are proud to be leading an AIM for Climate Innovation Sprint focused on cellular agriculture,” said Lee Recht, PhD, vice president of sustainability at Aleph. “It is imperative that we continue our work with diverse partners across the meat sector to enable environmentally sound food production. Such public-private cooperation is essential for ensuring that the world’s growing population has access to high-quality nutrition.”
The AIM for Climate initiative was launched by the United States, United Arab Emirates and 39 other countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties in 2021.
Aleph’s investment in cultivated meats will help reduce methane and increase innovation in emerging agricultural technologies, two of AIM for Climate’s four focal points in 2022.
The company’s current focus on reducing methane is primarily through the production of cell-cultured meats and steaks.
Only one-third of slaughtered cattle is used to produce conventional beef, however, and Aleph is looking to develop other alternative products to substitute the cow as a whole. Alternatives include products like cell-cultured collagen, which began production in March 2022 and is expected to launch in 2024.
“Enhancing food security via cellular agriculture empowers communities and fosters regional cooperation, spurring economic growth in the process,” said Didier Toubia, chief executive officer and co-founder of Aleph. “With cellular agriculture, humanity is better equipped to overcome significant food-related challenges and bring agricultural systems back into balance.”