"Now that Plenty’s technology is tested and proven, it’s time to scale up to become a high-production farming company. That’s what I’m here to do," says Arama Kakutai.
Today, he was appointed the new CEO of US vertical farming company Plenty. Former CEO and co-founder, Matt Barnard, will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board.
Big plans for 2022
"2022 is set to be a busy year for Plenty, so watch this space!"
Arama told VerticalFarmDaily that his goal is to help accelerate Plenty's promise to build sustainable, intelligent farms that deliver healthy, safe produce with a focus on premium flavor.
Arama Kukutai, Plenty's new CEO
Arama has been an investor and board member at Plenty almost since the beginning and has been deeply committed to guiding the company’s growth and progress as an advisor and director. He is a farmer at heart and has spent his education and career in agribusiness.
Appreciation for vertical farming
As Arama explains, indoor agriculture has long promised a solution to the challenges facing traditional growing, including solving year-round supply, supply chain disruption, high water use and widespread pesticide and chemical use.
According to him, it has taken Plenty a decade of work to solve the technology and operating challenges in order to build economically viable, scalable farms that can deliver clean, nutritious, and delicious food here in America, and globally in years to come.
"With our Compton Farm opening this year, Plenty will lay a huge marker in proving the viability of a new wave in food quality, security, and sustainability. I'm excited to be leading Plenty's evolution from R&D to growing the business at scale," he notes.
Continuing the legacy
Matt Barnard, former CEO of Plenty said, “I am delighted that Arama has agreed to lend his formidable experience to the role of CEO. I look forward to supporting him as Plenty accelerates its growth. Arama has been part of our visionary team from the beginning, and with his own farming heritage of running large farming operations throughout his career. He is committed to the Plenty promise to build sustainable, intelligent farms that deliver healthy, safe produce with a focus on premium flavor.”
The team and the board wanted to ensure that the legacy of farming continues to run deep within its leadership. "For these reasons, it’s an honor to step in as CEO and lend my industry expertise to the company as it matures into a global, high-production, vertical farm," says Arama.
For more information:
Plenty
570 Eccles Ave, South San Francisco
CA 94080, USA
+1 650 735 3737
www.plenty.ag