Nestlé-owned Purina and Cargill have announced a significant partnership aimed at promoting regenerative agriculture practices within their corn and soy supply chains. This business sustainability initiative is expected to cover over 200,000 acres of farmland in the Midwest USA.
It will reduce the carbon footprint of Purina’s grain supply from Cargill by up to 40 percent over the next three years. Continue reading to learn more about this inspiring collaboration to make regenerative agriculture commonplace across the food industry.
What will the collaboration involve?
John Foster, Nestlé’s global category leader for cereals and grains, emphasised the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing. He said the company cares about making quality pet food using responsibly sourced ingredients. John shared that this is why Purina is working hard to support farmers’ transition to regenerative agricultural practices, placing soil health restoration at the forefront.
In addition to a commitment to responsible sourcing, Purina will invest in supporting farmers across multiple Midwest states as they transition to regenerative agriculture practices. These practices include cover cropping, no/low tillage, crop rotation, nutrient management, and soil erosion control. The goal is to enhance soil health and promote more sustainable farming methods.
Moreover, the brands plan to scale regenerative agriculture. Cargill’s vice president of global partner lead, Stewart Derechin has shared that their vision is to make regenerative agriculture commonplace across the sector. He said partnerships like these will help farmers produce food more sustainably whilst also boosting the resilience and productivity of their farms.
Specifically, Cargill aims to scale regenerative agriculture practices to over 10 million acres of North American farmland by 2030. This effort aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the US agriculture and food supply chain and build a more resilient food system.
Current progress and future sustainability goals for the brands
Since 2020, Cargill has been promoting regenerative agriculture practices on 880,000 acres of farmland across North America. The company offers a range of initiatives tailored to meet farmers at their current stage and assist in transitioning to regenerative farming practices.
These initiatives have the potential to capture greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve water quality and efficiency. In 2020, Cargill committed to enhancing water management practices throughout its operations and key watersheds within its supply chain. The aim is to restore 600 billion litres of water over the span of a decade, reflecting the company’s dedication to sustainable resource management.
Summary – A step towards a more sustainable agricultural future
This partnership between Purina and Cargill represents a groundbreaking stride towards a more sustainable agricultural future. By integrating regenerative agriculture practices across extensive acres of farmland, they are not only reducing their environmental impact but also setting a powerful example for the industry.
This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving significant environmental milestones and showcases a commitment to fostering a resilient, sustainable food system. As more companies join this movement, the vision of widespread regenerative agriculture becomes increasingly attainable, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for all.
