PepsiCo and Cargill have announced a strategic collaboration to advance regenerative agriculture practices across their shared corn supply chain in Iowa. This initiative aims to address the environmental impact of agriculture through techniques that improve ecosystems, soil health, reduce emissions, enhance watershed management, increase biodiversity, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The companies plan to expand regenerative practices across 240,000 acres of farmland by 2030. This effort aims to deepen supply chain resilience, support farming communities in implementing sustainable practices, and unlock opportunities for scaling sustainable agriculture.
PepsiCo highlights the importance of a resilient agricultural system, noting its reliance on 35 crops sourced from over 60 countries. The company recently set a goal to adopt regenerative practices across 10 million acres of land used for its products by 2030.
Iowa, contributing over 15% of the US corn supply last year, will see efforts led by the nonprofit Practical Farmers of Iowa. They will provide tailored agronomic advice, technical guidance, and incentive payments to support farmers transitioning to regenerative practices, along with enrollment and verification services. Participating farmers will receive support to adopt techniques such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and nutrient management.
Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer, stated, “By working with farmers to understand what’s best for their farms and partnering across the supply chain we can accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices that can result in healthier soil, reduced emissions, and improved crop yields and livelihoods for farmers. This collaboration among PepsiCo, Cargill, and Practical Farmers of Iowa creates shared value and long-term sustainability that we believe will strengthen our business today and in the future.”
Cargill has committed to advancing regenerative agriculture on 10 million acres of North American farmland and aims to provide training on sustainable agriculture practices and improve market access for 10 million farmers by 2030. Pilar Cruz, Cargill’s Chief Sustainability Officer, remarked, “This partnership is about delivering practical, measurable results – starting on the farm, where the food system begins. By coming together across the value chain, we can help create the conditions for regenerative agriculture to take root and grow. The collaboration offers a model for how we can drive meaningful impact at scale.”
