FrieslandCampina,ReGeNL partner to launch regenerative agriculture pilot

NETHERLANDS – FrieslandCampina, a Dutch multinational dairy company, has partnered with Lidl and ReGeNL to initiate a three-year pilot agricultural project involving 30 dairy farms across the country.

With financial backing from Lidl and support from the National Growth Fund Programme ReGeNL, this collaboration aims to establish a framework for regenerative agriculture focused on enhancing soil health, biodiversity and creating a sustainable income model for dairy farmers.

Tuncay Özgüner, President of FrieslandCampina Retail and Americas, highlighted the necessity of collaboration within the supply chain to facilitate the transition to regenerative practices.

“An increasing number of dairy farmers want to make the transition to regenerative agriculture, but they can’t do it alone. Farmers require access to knowledge, guidance and a viable income model, he said.

Additionally, the project will develop an open-access standard for regenerative agriculture, focusing on measurable impacts on both ecological and economic fronts.

It will explore various regenerative practices, including herb-rich grasslands and rotational grazing, to assess their contributions to soil restoration and sustainable food production.

Erik van den Hoogen, the Director of Purchasing and Marketing at Lidl Netherlands, emphasised Lidl’s commitment to both customer satisfaction and sustainability. He stated that the company aims to ensure the best for its customers while also prioritising environmental and social responsibility, both now and in the future.

He said, “That’s why we are working with our partners to build a sustainable food system that puts farmers, nature and customers at its core. By collaborating in the supply chain on solutions such as regenerative agriculture, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.”

The companies stated that the pilot project will unfold over three years, beginning with the development of tailored farm plans in the first year. In the subsequent two years, the implementation of these plans will be closely monitored, focusing on ecological outcomes such as soil health and biodiversity, and economic viability for farmers.

Wouter-Jan Schouten, programme director of ReGeNL, emphasised the potential of regenerative agriculture to provide long-term benefits for farmers and the environment.

He noted that Lidl’s financial support, combined with FrieslandCampina’s expertise, enables dairy farmers to implement regenerative practices effectively.

 “This is a key step towards ReGeNL’s goal: transitioning 1,000 farmers to resilient agriculture by 2031,” he said.

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