A week of inspiration, engagement and insights! Just back from Sustainable Brands’ 2023 flagship conference in San Diego.
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I had the privilege to moderate a panel with Dustin Madison, Leonardo Bastos and Perry Aulie where we discussed the partnership between Bayer and Perdue and their efforts to scale regenerative agriculture, with the goal of reducing the carbon intensity of their grains (corn and soy) and the products produced with the grains. Here are my key takeaways:
· Primary Data – Scaling regenerative agriculture requires accurate and timely data to flow from the field through the value chain. By gathering primary data across Perdue’s integrated value chain, we found that the carbon footprint of two products were more than 50% lower compared to when using a generic product emission factor. Data collection platforms like Bayer’s FieldView and ForGround digital platforms are helping to simplify the data collection process. Active engagement, listening and learnings are necessary to continue to lower the burden on growers and generate defensible, credible data that satisfies the emerging guidance around quantifying removals and achieving FLAG targets.
· Trust - The importance of building and maintaining trust permeated the discussions. Trust between value chain partners wanting to collaborate. Trust between growers and organizations looking to partner with them to adopt regenerative practices after using other farming methods for generations. Trust between consumers and companies looking to market their products as having better environmental attributes than a competing product. Trust takes time to build and has to be earned.
· Shared Purpose – A key enabler for trust is having a shared purpose and common objectives. Value chain partnerships, as well as pre-competitive collaboration, require shared purpose and common goals to thrive. These types of initiatives take persistence, patience and flexibility to be able to navigate novel approaches and uncertain payback amidst a backdrop of evolving international standards and regulations.
There is widespread consensus on the benefits of scaling regenerative agriculture to help reduce the carbon intensity of our global food systems. Through innovative approaches and partnerships like the one between Bayer and Perdue, there are encouraging signs of being on the cusp of catalyzing systemic change. There is no time to wait.
On a related note, it was interesting to learn more about continuing efforts to assess the global warming potential for biogenic methane, which may be revised to be 3-4 times lower to account for its short lifespan (~12 years) – which of course has significant implications for dairy and beef industry – a key space to watch for future developments.
#climateaction, #regenerativeag, #valuechainpartnership
The future of farming is regenerative. Bayer, Perdue Farms, and ClimatePartner took us behind the scenes in yesterday's breakfast session as they shared learnings from their work with farmers to expand regenerative agriculture practices, quantify emissions along the value chain, and lower the carbon intensity of products, while meeting strategic business objectives for all. #SB23SanDiego #RegenerativeAgriculture
Seed Production Expert for vegetables and cereals
3wSustainable agriculture practices provides a platform for improved and enhanced soil health, carbon dioxide sequestration while resource use efficiency in farming. Syngenta efforts towards championing adoption of conservation agriculture practices presents a solution for increased food production to meet the need of increasing global population.