**UK**: The Sustainable Markets Initiative has announced the launch of ‘Routes to Regen’, a project set to transform regenerative farming into a viable business model for UK farmers, aiming to simplify support and address environmental challenges in the food system by 2025.
Members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) have today announced the launch of ‘Routes to Regen’, a pioneering Lighthouse Project geared towards showcasing how regenerative farming can be turned into an appealing business model for farmers in the UK. The initiative is set to unfold across the East of England throughout the year 2025, targeting the pressing environmental challenges inherent in the global food system, which accounts for approximately 30 per cent of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions and remains the largest factor behind nature loss.
The project aims to address the barriers that have impeded the transition to regenerative farming, despite its well-documented benefits. A study by the SMI’s Agribusiness Hub indicated that economic risks and a fragmented support network have historically discouraged farmers from making this shift. Through ‘Routes to Regen’, SMI aims to consolidate resources and simplify the support system available to farmers, thereby creating a clear and accessible framework to facilitate the transition.
Key players in the food and finance sectors including McCain Foods, McDonald’s, Lloyds Banking Group, Waitrose & Partners, NatWest, Barclays, Aon, Tokio Marine Kiln, and Lloyd’s have committed to translating insights from the SMI’s research into actionable strategies. The intention is to demonstrate a unified approach to overcoming the challenges faced by farmers during this transition.
The Royal Countryside Fund will manage the programme, which will also feature on-farm guidance from Ceres Rural. Participating farmers are set to receive a ‘menu’ of support options, tailored to their specific needs. This will comprise financial assistance such as discounted seeds and weather insurance, technical guidance including research insights, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities through demonstration days and knowledge-sharing events.
The initiative is intended to take a holistic approach, reducing risks for farmers and increasing the rate of adoption of regenerative practices. SMI members, alongside various industry initiatives and companies such as ADM, British Sugar, and Farm Carbon Toolkit, are collaborating to provide the necessary resources.
‘Routes to Regen’ will also pilot the SAI Platform’s recently developed Regenerating Together Framework, which establishes a globally aligned definition for regenerative agriculture while ensuring that its evaluation remains farmer-centric. The SMI envisions that the project will not only serve as a model for supporting UK farmers but also provide lessons that can be applied to accelerate regenerative farming efforts globally.
Charlie Angelakos, Vice President of Global External Affairs and Sustainability at McCain Foods, expressed pride in leading the pilot project. He stated, “Achieving scale requires a whole farm approach and collaboration across industry is essential to achieving that.” Similarly, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, commented on the project’s potential, stating that it builds on previous efforts highlighting financial and support system barriers, and exemplifies the collaborative power inherent within the SMI.
Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Royal Countryside Fund, noted that navigating sustainable farming can be daunting for farmers amidst various socio-economic pressures. He believes that the programme was developed with these challenges in mind, aiming to simplify the journey toward regenerative farming practices.
The project has received backing from influential figures in various companies, with Beth Hart from McDonald’s highlighting the significance of lasting partnerships across the supply chain in implementing regenerative practices. Andrew Walton of Lloyds Banking Group and Ian Burrow from NatWest echoed the necessity of a coordinated response to aid farmers in adapting to more sustainable methods.
The ambition behind ‘Routes to Regen’ is to unlock new opportunities for farmers, streamline available support, and facilitate the integration of regenerative agriculture into mainstream farming practices, all while setting a foundation for global replication.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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