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Climate change

Soil Capital's Regenerative Agriculture Programme Sees Increased Farmer Numbers and Carbon Savings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Soil Capital's Brussels-based programme is paying farmers in the UK, France, and Belgium for adopting regenerative agriculture practices that improve soil health, carbon storage, and tackle climate change. The programme, funded by food and beverage giants, has seen a significant increase in farmer numbers and carbon savings. Despite economic uncertainty and policy clarity issues, the company remains optimistic about the potential of regenerative agriculture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Soil Capital's regenerative agriculture programme has seen a 34% increase in land area to 322,000 hectares, with 1,100 farmers participating, up from 800 in the previous year.
  • The company has secured 330,000 tonnes of CO₂e in climate benefits, a 38% increase from the previous year.
  • Farmer payments in the last 12 months totalled £4.6m, with payments for 2024 totalling £3.6m so far.
  • The programme's Beyond Carbon framework measures farm performance across five critical areas: soil health, biodiversity, water management, climate, and socioeconomics.
  • Farmers are more engaged with carbon insetting, which involves investments in emissions reduction projects within a company's own value chain, rather than traditional offsetting.
  • The major food brands paying for insets enjoy benefits such as protecting their bottom lines, meeting sustainability targets, and attracting new consumers.

Statistics:

  • £4.6m: total farmer payments in the last 12 months
  • £3.2m: total farmer payments in the 2022 harvest
  • £3.6m: total farmer payments for 2024 so far
  • 330,000 tonnes: climate benefits secured by the programme
  • 38%: increase in climate benefits secured compared to the previous year
  • 34%: increase in land area within the programme
  • 1,100: number of farmers participating in the programme
  • 800: number of farmers participating in the programme the previous year
  • 322,000 hectares: land area within the programme

Sources:

  • "Soil Capital", AgTechNavigator (no date)
  • "Soil Capital showcases its comprehensive framework to measure farm performance across five critical areas", AgTechNavigator (April 2025)
  • "EU's Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF)", European Commission (no date)
  • "Danone", Danone website (no date)
  • "Mars", Mars website (no date)
  • "Nestle", Nestle website (no date)

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