Each cow can emit up to 260 pounds of methane annually just through the natural process of eating and digesting. Globally, this contributes over 230 billion pounds of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. HiFeed addresses this issue with its innovative, easily digestible cattle feed pellets designed to minimize enteric fermentation.
HiFeed, an Indonesian cattle farming start-up, announced a significant milestone on Wednesday with the successful closure of its pre-seed funding round, led by climate-tech venture builder Wavemaker Impact (WMi). The funding positions HiFeed to accelerate its mission of transforming cattle farming into a more sustainable and eco-friendly industry.
“Cattle farming is a vital part of the global food system, but it also has a major environmental impact,” said Ihsan Akhirulsyah, Founder and CEO of HiFeed. “Thanks to Wavemaker Impact’s support, we’re closer to revolutionizing the industry with solutions that enable farmers to cut emissions while improving productivity.”
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Environmental Challenge of Livestock Farming
Livestock farming, particularly cattle farming, contributes 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the most significant sources of methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Methane emissions from livestock pose a critical challenge in the global effort to combat climate change.
HiFeed’s approach focuses on tackling these challenges by developing innovative solutions that cut methane emissions while ensuring economic viability for farmers.
According to Akhirulsyah, the company aims to make decarbonization scalable and profitable, ensuring adoption at a global scale.
HiFeed’s Core Innovations
HiFeed’s strategy is built on three core pillars:
- Methane Mitigation Technologies :The company is researching and developing anti-methanogenic feed additives and technologies that enhance digestion to reduce methane emissions
- Sustainable Feed Solutions : HiFeed’s nutrient-rich, eco-friendly feed options are designed to improve cattle growth rates while lowering carbon intensity, addressing farmers’ need for high-performance and affordable feed.
- Carbon Insetting Solutions : Tools and resources offered by HiFeed empower farmers to measure and reduce their carbon emissions, supporting net-zero targets while improving profitability.
Early Successes and Industry Backing
Early pilot projects have shown promising outcomes, with farmers benefiting from reduced feed costs and improved cattle growth rates.
“HiFeed is working to significantly cut methane emissions from cattle, improve feed efficiency, and promote sustainable farming practices that balance environmental stewardship with economic viability,” Akhirulsyah noted.
These promising results caught the attention of Wavemaker Impact, whose principal, Guillem Segarra, expressed confidence in HiFeed’s transformative potential. “With Ihsan’s experience and passion for agritech, we’re confident in HiFeed’s ability to reshape food systems in Southeast Asia and beyond,” Segarra said.
HiFeed’s commitment to agricultural innovation reflects a broader belief that solutions to climate change must integrate environmental stewardship with economic viability.
As HiFeed expands its research, technology infrastructure, and regional reach, it aims to create a global ripple effect. By addressing the root causes of emissions in cattle farming, the company is not only advancing sustainability but also paving the way for a greener, more resilient agricultural future.
In the words of Akhirulsyah, “This is more than an opportunity—it’s a responsibility to redefine the future of farming.”
Launched in 2021, Wavemaker Impact focuses on co-founding sustainability start-ups with proven entrepreneurs. Its $60 million debut fund targets high-emission sectors, including agriculture, with a goal of reducing 10% of the global carbon budget by 2035.
The fund, backed by partners such as the United States International Development Finance Corporation and British International Investment, prioritizes Southeast Asia—a region where agriculture is both a vital economic driver and a significant source of emissions.
Lead image courtesy of HiFeed (Founder/CEO Ihsan Akhirulsyah)
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