ADM and Bayer have announced an extension of their partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across Europe. Building on their initial collaboration, which began with a feasibility study last year, the companies are now focusing on enhancing carbon emissions reduction, promoting biodiversity, and improving soil health.
During the feasibility study, conducted with oilseed rape farmers covering 9,000 hectares in Poland, ADM and Bayer assessed the impact of regenerative agriculture practices. The study revealed that farms employing at least one regenerative practice saw a 15% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional methods, with potential reductions of up to 40% for those fully adopting such practices.
The next phase of the collaboration will expand to include additional crops such as corn, wheat, and barley, across Eastern Europe. Participating farmers will receive financial and technical support to implement regenerative practices like minimum tillage, cover crops, companion crops, nutrient management, organic matter use, and crop rotation.
ADM will compensate farmers for each qualifying hectare, monitored using Bayer’s digital tools in collaboration with Trinity Agtech’s Sandy platform, ensuring rigorous measurement and verification. Farmers will also benefit from personalized agronomic guidance tailored to their specific regions, facilitating peer learning and knowledge sharing among participants.
Karol Pietnoczka, a farmer from West Pomerania, emphasized the positive impact of regenerative practices on carbon footprint reduction, stating, “We have been practicing regenerative agriculture for 15 years. Thanks to these activities, our carbon footprint is lower.”
Piotr Hulanicki from Warmia-Masuria highlighted the profitability of regenerative practices when integrated effectively with other agronomic methods.
Candy Siekmann, director of Climate Smart Agriculture Origination at ADM, emphasized the importance of regenerative agriculture in sustainability efforts, noting consumer preference for products from sustainably managed farms. She expressed excitement about expanding the program in Poland, promoting a resilient supply chain with reduced carbon footprint.
Lionnel Alexandre, Carbon Business Lead, EMEA for Bayer, underscored the collaborative value chain approach, leveraging digital and scientific capabilities to support regenerative agriculture projects across Europe.
The partnership between ADM and Bayer signifies a commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture practices, aiming to build a more resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural sector in Europe.
