Regenerative Agriculture: How Corporations are Pioneering a New Era in Sustainable Farming

Courtesy: Mars

In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing pressures on global food systems, regenerative agriculture has emerged as a beacon of hope. This farming approach, which focuses on restoring soil health, sequestering carbon, and building ecosystem resilience, is gaining traction worldwide. Leading this movement are corporations like Mars, General Mills, Ahold Delhaize USA, and Cargill, which are leveraging their global reach and resources to drive transformative change across agricultural value chains.

Mars: Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Across Europe

Mars, the global leader in pet nutrition, confectionery, and food, is at the forefront of integrating regenerative agriculture into its operations. Partnering with organizations such as Cargill, Agreena, ADM, Biospheres, Horta, and Soil Capital, Mars is on a mission to transition over 20,000 hectares of crops in Europe to regenerative practices by 2028. This initiative is part of a broader goal to implement regenerative agriculture across more than one million acres globally by 2030.

The company’s efforts span several countries, including Poland, Hungary, and the UK, where partnerships provide farmers with financial incentives, expert advisory services, and training to adopt regenerative methods. Practices such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the use of cover crops are central to these efforts, aiming to improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Mars’ initiatives underscore the importance of soil health as a cornerstone of sustainable food systems. As Deri Watkins, Regional President at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe, explains:

“Healthy soil is the backbone of a resilient food system. Through these partnerships, we’re proud to drive regenerative agriculture practices across Europe, restoring soil health, cutting carbon, and building a stronger, more sustainable supply chain for farmers, pets, and their parents.”

Courtesy: Unsplash ph. Yuki Dog

In Poland, Mars is collaborating with Cargill RegenConnect to incentivize farmers for carbon sequestration achieved through regenerative practices. This initiative targets 4,600 hectares of land, with a focus on improving soil health through advanced machinery and sustainable farming techniques. Similarly, a five-year partnership with ADM is working to transition 4,000 hectares of wheat crops to regenerative agriculture, with robust monitoring systems in place to track soil health improvements and GHG reductions.

In Hungary, Mars’ collaboration with Horta spans over 3,600 hectares of wheat and maize crops. Farmers receive guidance on optimizing irrigation and fertilizer use while being encouraged to plant cover crops and reduce tilling. Another partnership, involving Biospheres and Agreena, focuses on incentivizing farmers to adopt regenerative practices on 5,500 hectares of wheat crops, enhancing soil health and carbon sequestration.

In the UK, Mars is working with Soil Capital to support the regenerative transition of wheat farms across 3,200 hectares by 2028. These multi-year collaborations reflect Mars’ commitment to ecosystem restoration, sustainable supply chains, and local economic resilience.

Beyond Europe: Global Corporations Leading the Charge

Mars is not alone in championing regenerative agriculture. Other multinational corporations are also advancing bold initiatives to integrate sustainable farming practices into their operations. General Mills and Ahold Delhaize USA have joined forces to scale regenerative agriculture in North America, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shared suppliers. Their initiative aims to engage farmers managing 70,000 acres of farmland in Kansas, USA, and Saskatchewan, Canada, by 2025. By fostering sustainable practices, this collaboration seeks to build resilience in key supply regions, improve soil health, and mitigate climate change.

Meanwhile, Cargill is partnering with Purina to advance regenerative agriculture in pet food production. Cargill’s sustainability goals include scaling regenerative practices across 10 million acres of North American farmland by 2030. Since 2020, the company has implemented climate-smart methods on 880,000 acres. Given that pet food consumption accounts for up to 30% of the environmental impacts of animal production, initiatives like this are critical to reducing the sector’s ecological footprint.

Courtesy: Mars

The Critical Role of Soil Health in Regenerative Agriculture

At the heart of regenerative agriculture lies a commitment to improving soil health—a vital yet often overlooked component of sustainable food systems. Soil is the foundation of 95% of global food production, and its degradation poses a significant threat to food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. Regenerative practices address these challenges by enhancing soil’s ability to store carbon, filter water, and support diverse ecosystems.

Healthy soil delivers numerous benefits, including:

• Increased crop yields: Nutrient-rich soil reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and helps crops resist pests and diseases.

• Climate change mitigation: Soil acts as a carbon sink, storing CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, which helps combat climate change.

• Biodiversity support: Soil provides a habitat for billions of microorganisms essential for ecosystem balance.

• Water quality and availability: Healthy soil filters and retains water, reducing the risk of flooding and drought.

Corporations like Mars and their partners recognize that restoring soil health is not only an environmental imperative but also a business opportunity. By investing in regenerative agriculture, they can secure resilient supply chains, reduce operational risks, and meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable products.

A Collaborative Path Forward

Regenerative agriculture represents a paradigm shift in how we think about farming, food production, and environmental stewardship. As corporations like Mars, General Mills, Cargill, and Ahold Delhaize USA collaborate with farmers and industry partners, they are proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. By incentivizing farmers, providing technical expertise, and fostering innovation, these initiatives are creating a ripple effect that extends beyond individual supply chains.

While challenges remain—such as scaling these practices and ensuring equitable benefits for smallholder farmers—the progress being made is undeniable. By restoring soil health, reducing emissions, and enhancing biodiversity, regenerative agriculture offers a blueprint for a more sustainable and resilient food system, one that benefits people, pets, and the planet alike. As these efforts grow, they pave the way for a brighter, greener future.