Unlocking regenerative agriculture with data management and collaboration

Data management is essential for advancing regenerative agriculture in agri-food supply chains. Collaborative efforts, clear definitions, and support for farmers are critical for successful transitions and equitable adoption.

In a recent closed-door workshop conducted in partnership with Agmatix, Innovation Forum led a discussion into the increasingly significant role of data management amidst the growing prominence of regenerative agriculture within agri-food supply chains. The workshop focused on the implications within pivotal sectors such as cattle and soy, spanning across global value chains.

The primary objective of the workshop was to cultivate collaborative discussions about the challenges and to clarify how stakeholders can use data technology to propel regenerative outcomes. Key focal points included the necessity for standardised frameworks to facilitate the expansion of regenerative initiatives, tools to support farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture, and the promotion of effective collaboration among growers, suppliers and technology firms.

The event took place in person with participation from 13 key stakeholders. Below is a summary of the key points, challenges and solutions discussed.

Defining regenerative agriculture

The lack of clear and unified global definitions for regenerative agriculture remains a significant challenge. While regulatory efforts are underway in the US and Europe to define regenerative agriculture, there is ongoing debate around its relationship with organic agriculture. For instance, in California, there are discussions on whether regenerative agriculture should be considered the same as organic, and if farmers can claim regenerative agriculture without being certified organic.
The SAI framework provides a common starting point. However, defining the specific metrics and on-the-ground implementation of these at the farm level remains a challenge. While SAI's approach is viewed positively by industry stakeholders, its linkage to practical implementation with farmers requires further attention. Some feel that SAI could do more to translate the framework into practical guidance for growers.
A shared global regenerative agriculture framework that can be adapted to local contexts, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, would be welcome. Different regions and crops may require tailored definitions and approaches to regenerative agriculture. Clarity on definitions, especially for on-pack claims, is crucial for the commercialisation of regenerative agriculture products and to avoid greenwashing. Without clear definitions, there is a risk of the “regenerative” term being overused or misused.

Farmer adoption, mindset and education

The transition to regenerative agricultural practices can be challenging for farmers, often involving short-term yield reductions that need careful management. Key strategies to support farmers during this transition include the following.

Providing financial incentives or access to credit can help farmers manage the initial costs and yield drops associated with adopting regenerative practices.
Developing insurance options to cover potential yield losses in the early years can provide a safety net for farmers, encouraging them to make the transition.
Leveraging government initiatives, such as climate-smart agriculture programmes, can offer essential funding and resources to support farmers.
Encouraging collaboration across the supply chain can distribute the costs and risks of transition. Industry players can work together to support farmers financially and logistically.
Transitioning can be particularly challenging for smallholder farmers, for whom yield losses would be catastrophic. It is crucial to develop equitable support mechanisms that ensure fairness and inclusion, providing targeted assistance to these farmers.

Engaging farmers effectively requires a focus on practical, tangible benefits and actionable practices rather than inundating them with broader global climate change discussions. Educational efforts should have a number of characteristics.

Resonate with farmers' business mindset: It is important to present regenerative agricultural practices in a way that aligns with farmers' business goals, demonstrating tangible benefits and practical applications.
Include context-specific education: Education should be tailored to the local context, addressing specific practices and impacts relevant to the farmers' region. This approach ensures that the information is relevant and immediately applicable.

Equity and scalability

Ensuring equitable access to regenerative agriculture programmes and incentives across different farm sizes, cooperatives and regions was identified as a challenge.
Scaling regenerative agriculture practices quickly while maintaining equity and transparency isa concern, particularly for larger cooperatives with diverse customer bases.

Consumer perception and pricing

Improving consumer awareness and knowledge about regenerative agriculture practices and their benefits was deemed crucial. There is a well-recognised “say-do” gap between consumer interest in sustainability and their actual purchasing behaviour. This is complicated by the proliferation of sustainability claims and labels on products. Educating consumers on the true benefits and value of regenerative agriculture, including the environmental and social costs that are not currently reflected in pricing, is important.
Concerns were raised about potential price premiums for regenerative agriculture products and whether consumers would be willing to pay more. Some participants reasoned that the price difference should be minimal, making it more acceptable to consumers, while others cited examples of significant premiums for organic products.
The impact of external factors, such as inflation and economic crises, on consumer willingness to pay for sustainable products was also discussed as a potential barrier.
Integrating regenerative agriculture claims into the overall brand and value proposition, beyond just on-pack messaging, is key.
Collaborating with retailers to tell the story of regenerative agriculture more effectively in-store is also crucial. Collaboration between industry, retailers and consumers is needed to shift mindsets and establish regenerative agriculture as the new normal, rather than a premium or niche offering.

Aligning priorities - carbon, biodiversity and beyond

Concern was raised about over-emphasising carbon metrics and carbon market mechanisms at the expense of other important impacts such as on water, soil and biodiversity. This narrow focus could lead to farming systems focused on carbon but disconnected from other critical environmental and social factors.
The arable farming sector may find it easier to balance these various priorities compared to livestock/dairy sectors, as the linkages between practices and outcomes are more direct.
A more holistic, systems-level approach is needed to define future farming systems and ensure alignment across the different impact areas.

For more information about Agmatix, you can view the recording of Innovation Forum and Agmatix’s webinar from 13th February 2024, exploring the on-farm tools and technologies available for sustainable sourcing, with valuable insights from Jonathan Sullivan (Agmatix), Stacy Cushenbery (Oatly) and Maurizio Comandone (McCain Foods).