PepsiCo and Soil Capital have cemented a strategic partnership aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices across the UK, France, and Belgium. This initiative seeks to secure a sustainable supply of essential ingredients for PepsiCo’s food portfolio, including brands like Lay’s and Walkers, by supporting farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture across over 35,000 acres of farmland.
The partnership’s primary objective is to transition farming practices towards greater resilience against climate shocks and land degradation, ensuring a steady, long-term supply of high-quality rapeseed oil. Farmers will receive resources and expertise necessary to implement sustainable methods, including improving soil health and moving away from synthetic inputs in favour of cover crops and organic fertilisation.
To mitigate climate impact, the programme incorporates regenerative techniques such as reduced tillage, aimed at preventing land degradation and reducing the carbon footprint associated with ingredient production. Notably, the first phase in France has already achieved a 38% improvement in greenhouse gas balance, demonstrating significant progress in reducing agricultural emissions.
Financial incentives and expert agronomic guidance are integral to the partnership, eliminating barriers to adoption by helping farmers afford transition costs and providing tailored local support, such as addressing soil compaction in the UK, to maintain productivity while enhancing sustainability. “Scaling these practices requires practical solutions tailored to local challenges,” stated Archana Jagannathan, chief sustainability officer at PepsiCo Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasising the importance of removing barriers and driving meaningful progress.
The initiative includes a robust digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, utilising satellite technology and advanced models to deliver transparent, data-driven insights into key metrics like greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon storage. This ensures PepsiCo and its farming partners can accurately measure environmental impacts and refine approaches for continuous improvement.
This commitment to scaling regenerative agriculture underscores PepsiCo’s broader ambition to drive the adoption of restorative practices across 10 million acres globally by 2030, reflecting a significant step toward sustainable ingredient sourcing and environmental stewardship.
