News in brief: Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba and one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals, has recently invested in a fishery and agriculture startup called 1.8 Meters Marine Technology in China. He has shown a growing interest in agriculture and sustainable food production, making international trips to learn about related technologies and even accepting a teaching position at the University of Tokyo to lecture on sustainable agriculture and food production.
Alibaba co-founder and one of the richest men in Asia, Jack Ma, has ventured into the agriculture industry. He is said to have recently invested in a fishery and agriculture startup in China, according to local media reports.
The startup called 1.8 Meters Marine Technology (Zhejiang) Co, is incorporated in Maâs hometown of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province. One of Maâs private equity holdings, Hangzhou Dajingtou No. 22 Arts and Culture Co., acquired a 10 per cent equity stake in the startup.
The company’s business interests is said to cover aquatic products, feeding, overseeing processing and selling farm products as well as developing offshore wind power systems.
Ma, who stepped down as Alibaba chairman in 2019, has kept a low profile ever since, after allegedly angering Chinese authorities. Although, he still has a seat on the board of the Jack Ma Foundation.
The 58-year-old tech entrepreneur has since then shown a keen interest in agriculture. He recently made several international trips with a view to learning about sustainable food production.
For example, in October 2021, Ma was in Spain learning about agriculture and technology related to environmental issues. He also spent time in Japan, studying fisheries and tuna farming. The billionaire also visited a sea shrimp farming factory in Thailand.
In May of 2023, the University of Tokyo announced that Ma will teach as a visiting professor, giving lectures on management and sustainable agriculture. He also accepted an invitation from Tokyo College, a new institution run by the University of Tokyo.
His tenure will continue till October 31, and his contract may be renewed annually. His research area will be sustainable agriculture and food production. Additionally, he also owns a vineyard in France.
