Pepsico has announced that they are teaming up with the World Food Program and the United States Agency for International Development to increase production of chickpeas in Ethiopia. Pepsico stated that the project has a great chance of reducing famine in the area. Pepsico, owns 49% of hummus brand Sabra and needs to increase supply of chickpeas for its growing demand. Pepsico has also invested in new irrigation tools in Ethiopia. These methods are predicted to exceed Pepsico’s actual need of chickpeas. With the extra chickpeas, the World Food Program will address famine and hunger issues in Pakistan.
Another goal Pepsico has is to turn chickpeas into Ethiopia’s top export. Local businesses will sell chickpeas and chickpea based products, so the economy of the area should improve. Another benefit of this project is the effect it will have on Ethiopia’s soil. Chickpeas get the nitrogen they need from the air rather than the soil. The improvements to the soil will in turn lead to an increase in the supply of a food called Wawa Mum.
