FrieslandCampina is taking significant steps toward creating a sustainable and resilient dairy industry by adopting regenerative agricultural practices. As one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives, it recognizes the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and supporting farmers in transitioning to sustainable farming systems. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and ensuring the economic viability of dairy farming amidst rising input costs and tightening regulations.
The cooperative has set a goal to implement regenerative agriculture at scale by 2030 across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. By prioritizing regenerative farming, FrieslandCampina aims to improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and manage water resources more effectively. The company has launched a Regenerative Agriculture Pilot in 2024, designed to help farmers integrate these practices into their operations. This initiative represents a proactive approach to building a future-fit dairy sector that can withstand the pressures of modern farming.
To scale regenerative agriculture, FrieslandCampina has developed the Future Fit Dairy Initiative in collaboration with partners such as Danone, Arla, Rabobank, and dsm-firmenich. This localized framework ensures that regenerative farming aligns with environmental goals while remaining economically feasible for farmers. By tracking key indicators, such as soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, the initiative provides farmers with a clear understanding of their progress and areas for improvement.
One example of this transition can be seen on a 24-hectare farm in the Netherlands, where significant changes were made to align with regenerative farming principles. The farmer removed maize from the crop rotation in favor of grass, reducing the need for imported soy and enhancing soil quality. Another adjustment involved switching from liquid to solid manure, which, while costly upfront, improves soil health in the long term. The data-driven approach of the pilot program allows farmers to optimize their practices by monitoring metrics like grass quality and fertilizer use. This emphasis on measurement enables informed decisions that drive sustainable improvements.
The pilot program employs a phased approach to support farmers at different levels of readiness. The initial “Embark” stage begins with a baseline measurement and the development of a tailored plan with guidance from a coach. Farmers then move to the “Engaged” phase, where they adopt specific practices like reducing maize or planting herb-rich grasslands. This phase often involves financial and yield risks, but peer-to-peer learning plays a crucial role in mitigating challenges. Informal networks, such as WhatsApp groups, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among farmers, accelerating progress.
The final “Evolve” stage requires significant investments, such as advanced manure management techniques, and involves a longer-term commitment. Support from financial institutions and policymakers is critical in this stage to ensure farmers can overcome economic and regulatory barriers. Experience has shown that transitioning to regenerative agriculture typically takes three to seven years, depending on the farmer’s starting point. Supportive government policies are particularly important in enabling widespread adoption and addressing challenges that arise during the transition.
The cooperative’s participation in broader networks has been instrumental in advancing these initiatives. Collaborative platforms foster partnerships beyond the dairy sector, connecting financial institutions, policymakers, and supply chain stakeholders. This network provides the technical and financial support farmers need, bridging the gap between flexibility in farming practices and the structured requirements of investors. These collaborations also facilitate the development of harmonized methods for measuring the outcomes of regenerative agriculture, ensuring consistent progress tracking.
The transition to regenerative agriculture represents a critical opportunity to transform food production systems while benefiting the environment and society. Over the coming years, scaling these practices will rely on harmonizing measurement frameworks, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and advocating for policies that create an enabling environment. These efforts will help farmers navigate the challenges of the transition and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future.
