Diageo-endorsed non-profit organisation Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) has launched a guide to help food and drinks producers scale regenerative agriculture.
The ‘Regenerating Together Programme’ includes a four-step implementation guide, transition support for farmers, methods for measuring outcomes, verification & assurance protocols and benchmarking tools to allow for other regenerative programmes to be compared. The launch follows a four-year pilot with farmers across 25 countries.
SAI Platform said the project “marks a shift from just defining regenerative agriculture to enabling its practical implementation at scale across global supply chains”. The concept was unveiled at SAI Platform’s “annual event” in Canada this week, which was livestreamed at the simultaneous UK-based event, London Climate Action Week.
The industry-led non-profit was founded in 2002 by multinational food companies Danone, Nestlé and Unilever. The aim was to reduce duplication that farmers faced when supplying different food companies, each with its own sustainability requirements. Membership comes with an undisclosed annual fee.
“By providing a common foundation for implementation and measurement, the … programme helps track progress towards positive environmental outcomes, while increasing visibility of the value farmers create through regenerative agriculture,” the organisation said.
Diageo, which is also a member of SAI Platform, added: “By aligning our approach with this common industry tool, we aim to avoid over-burdening suppliers and farmers with multiple company-specific audits and assessments.”
SAI Platform defines regenerative agriculture as “an outcome-based farming approach that protects and improves soil health, biodiversity, climate and water resources while supporting farming business development”.
Global Drinks Intel has enquired about the costs involved in employing the programme, and whether non-members are able to access the information.
