An ancient tree native to India is now thriving in Florida’s groves, offering a sustainable alternative to the state’s beleaguered citrus industry. As citrus trees fall victim to devastating diseases, farmers are increasingly turning to the resilient pongamia tree, which promises both environmental and economic benefits.
The Rise of the Pongamia Tree
The once-thriving citrus industry in Florida has suffered dramatically over the past two decades due to two major diseases: citrus greening and citrus canker. In response, some innovative farmers are planting pongamia trees, which are known for their hardiness and ability to produce plant-based proteins and sustainable biofuels.
Pongamia trees, unlike their citrus counterparts, require minimal care. They thrive in both drought and rainy conditions, do not need fertilizers or pesticides, and can be harvested with simple machinery that shakes the beans from the branches.
A Sustainable Solution
Terviva, a company based in San Francisco and founded by Naveen Sikka in 2010, has developed a patented process to remove the bitter compounds from pongamia beans, making them suitable for food production. “Florida offers a unique opportunity for Terviva and former citrus farmers,” Sikka told the Associated Press. “The decline of the citrus industry has left vast tracts of land idle, and pongamia is a perfect, scalable replacement.”
The Benefits of Pongamia
Pongamia is native to India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It produces legumes that, once processed, can be used to create culinary oil and protein products like Panova, which are featured in Aloha’s Kona protein bars. The tree’s oil is also an excellent biofuel, particularly for aviation, due to its low carbon footprint.
Ron Edwards, chairman of Terviva’s board and a veteran Florida citrus grower, highlighted the pongamia tree’s environmental benefits. “An acre of pongamia can yield as much oil as four acres of soybeans,” he said. “What’s left after oil extraction is a high-grade protein suitable for various food products.”
Why Florida?
Florida’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for pongamia cultivation. “We know pongamia grows well in Florida, and the markets for its oil and protein—biofuel, feed, and food ingredients—are vast,” Sikka said. This new crop allows farmers to reduce costs and adopt more sustainable farming practices.
At a nursery near Fort Pierce, skilled workers graft portions of mother trees onto pongamia rootstocks, ensuring that the best genetic traits are passed on to new trees.
The Decline of Citrus
Florida’s citrus industry has faced significant challenges since the 1990s. Citrus canker, a bacterial disease, causes lesions on fruit and leaves, rendering trees unproductive. Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing, slowly kills trees and degrades the fruit, slashing citrus production by 75% since its spread in 2005. Hurricanes like Ian in 2023 further compounded the industry’s woes, causing billions in damages.
Globally, other major citrus producers face similar issues. Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of orange juice, expects its worst harvest in 36 years due to extreme weather.
Farmers’ Perspectives
John Olson, owner of Circle O Ranch near Fort Pierce, replaced his grapefruit groves with 215 acres of pongamia trees. “We went through all the ups and downs of citrus and eventually abandoned it due to greening,” Olson said. “Citrus farming became too risky and unprofitable.”
Edwards emphasized pongamia’s ecological benefits. “Pongamia can repurpose fallow land and replace environmentally damaging crops like palm oil,” he noted. “It’s a resilient, jungle-tested tree that requires minimal care.”
Pongamia and Biofuel
In December 2023, Terviva signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation to provide biofuel feedstock, which can be converted into biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. “Our partnership with Mitsubishi is thriving,” Sikka said. “Their expertise and leadership have accelerated our progress.”
Pongamia in Food Production
Research into pongamia’s food applications is ongoing, with promising results. Edwards mentioned successful experiments with graham crackers and other plant-based protein products. “Pongamia offers a great alternative to soybean and yellow pea protein for those seeking non-meat protein sources,” he said.
Conclusion
As Florida’s citrus industry struggles, the resilient pongamia tree offers a promising alternative for farmers seeking sustainable and profitable crops. With its numerous environmental and economic benefits, pongamia is poised to become a key player in the future of Florida agriculture.
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