In a collaborative effort to drive sustainable transformation in Regenerative Agriculture Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural technology and innovation, has partnered with PepsiCo, a multinational leader in food and beverages. Their joint mission is to enhance regenerative and traceable agricultural practices within the food industry value chain, ensuring transparency, verifiability, and long-term environmental benefits.
A Year of Progress in Regenerative Farming
Over the first year of their partnership, Syngenta successfully supplied PepsiCo with 4,000 tons of sunflower oil sourced from farms in the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis, and Santa Fe. These farms were selected for their commitment to regenerative agriculture practices, showcasing how large-scale food production can align with sustainable land management.
Regenerative agriculture goes beyond traditional farming methods by focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. It includes techniques such as cover cropping, crop rotation, efficient irrigation, and the integration of biological products. By adopting these practices, farmers not only improve soil fertility and water conservation but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing biodiversity.
Expanding the Reach of Sustainable Farming
Building on the success of the first phase, Syngenta and PepsiCo plan to expand the program significantly in the coming years. The next stage aims to increase the number of hectares implementing regenerative farming practices by at least 25%, further embedding sustainability in agricultural supply chains.
A key component of this expansion is Syngenta’s Sustainable Sourcing Program, which provides farmers with a structured approach to implement and verify sustainable agricultural techniques. Farmers who participate in this program benefit from:
- Technical support and continuous monitoring: Syngenta offers guidance on best practices, helping farmers maximize yields while improving soil and water management.
- Economic incentives: By demonstrating compliance with regenerative agriculture principles, farmers receive a premium per ton of produce.
- Third-party verification: Independent audits validate farming practices, ensuring credibility and transparency throughout the supply chain.
These measures not only secure better returns for farmers but also create a model for large-scale food production that prioritizes environmental stewardship.
Leveraging Technology for Greater Traceability
Traceability is a crucial aspect of this initiative. To ensure that regenerative practices are being correctly implemented and verified, Syngenta employs Cropwise, a digital platform designed to track and measure sustainable farming methods.
Through Cropwise, farmers can:
- Digitally document their farming practices to ensure alignment with regenerative agriculture guidelines.
- Receive data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate compliance with sustainability standards, which is essential for both corporate buyers and consumers increasingly concerned with ethical sourcing.
By integrating technology into regenerative agriculture, Syngenta and PepsiCo are not only improving the efficiency of verification but also setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the food supply chain.
Leadership Perspectives on Sustainable Agriculture
Both Syngenta and PepsiCo emphasize that their commitment to sustainability is embedded within their corporate missions.
“At Syngenta, sustainability is embedded in the business. Regenerating soil and nature through practices that aim to leave the system better than we found it is a commitment we assume every day,” says Mariale Álvarez, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs LATAM at Syngenta. She highlights how the collaboration with PepsiCo takes this mission a step further by offering financial incentives to farmers who adopt regenerative practices.
“This time, together with a strategic partner like PepsiCo, with whom we share this same vision, we are taking this commitment one step further: farmers who join our Sustainable Sourcing Program receive an economic benefit by demonstrating the adoption of regenerative farming practices in their production process. This has a positive impact not only on the environment but also on their profitability,” Álvarez adds.
From PepsiCo’s perspective, sustainability is central to the company’s long-term strategy.
“Companies have a great responsibility to care for and improve the way we produce food. At PepsiCo, everything we do is driven by sustainability at its core, within the framework of pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), our global transformation strategy that aims to create and inspire positive change on the planet and in people,” explains Santiago Desmery, Oils Category Leader, PepsiCo Southern Cone and Brazil.
He further emphasizes that this initiative represents a milestone for the company. “With this project, PepsiCo Southern Cone becomes the company’s first region at the LATAM level to have 100% regenerative agriculture in the sunflower it uses,” Desmery notes.
The Future of Regenerative Agriculture in the Food Industry
The collaboration between Syngenta and PepsiCo is part of a broader movement within the global food industry to transition toward more sustainable agricultural systems. Large corporations are increasingly recognizing the importance of working with farmers to ensure their supply chains are not only productive but also environmentally responsible.
Why Regenerative Agriculture Matters
The shift towards regenerative farming is critical for addressing some of the most pressing challenges in modern agriculture, including:
- Soil degradation: Intensive farming practices have led to nutrient depletion in soils worldwide. Regenerative techniques help restore soil health, making land more fertile and resilient.
- Water scarcity: Efficient irrigation and cover cropping reduce water usage and improve retention, crucial in regions facing drought conditions.
- Climate change: Agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage help capture carbon in the soil, mitigating climate impacts.
- Biodiversity loss: By fostering pollinator habitats and diversifying crops, regenerative farming supports ecosystems that are essential for food production.
Scaling Up Regenerative Agriculture
The Syngenta-PepsiCo partnership serves as a model for how corporations can support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices. However, scaling up regenerative agriculture on a global scale requires:
- Policy support: Governments can incentivize sustainable farming through subsidies and regulations that encourage conservation practices.
- Consumer awareness: Educating the public about the benefits of regenerative agriculture can drive demand for sustainably sourced products.
- Investment in research and technology: Ongoing innovation is needed to develop more efficient farming techniques that benefit both the environment and farmers’ livelihoods.
