US food and drink giant PepsiCo and leading global agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) have agreed to work in partnership on projects aimed at significantly expanding regenerative agriculture across their shared North American supply chains.
The long-term partnership was expected to total 809,271ha (2M acres) by 2030, the companies said in a combined statement.
Initially involving corn, soyabean and wheat farmers in Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska, with the possibility of future expansion, the agreement will increase visibility across the value chain and integrate a range of multi-year farmer-first regenerative agriculture initiatives, including cover crops, reduced tillage, nutrient management, diverse rotations, and responsible pesticide use, according to the 14 September statement.
As part of the agreement, the companies said they would share resources and collaborate to create value throughout the supply chain by providing participants with technical and financial assistance, offering access to peer regenerative farming networks, hosting educational field days, and tracking results using trusted, third-party measurement systems.
“Sustainability is fundamental to ADM… Last year, we expanded on our Strive 35 sustainability goals with a commitment to reduce our Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2035… expanding regenerative agriculture practices expanding regenerative agriculture practices… will be key to reaching that goal,” ADM chief sustainability officer Alison Taylor said.
“Today’s announcement is a major step forward, as we work with a partner whose values align with our own to scale up regenerative agriculture.”
Reaching the strategic partnership’s goals could eliminate 1.4M tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)– equivalent to the amount of electricity used to power 275,000 homes/year – at the farm level, the companies said.
