‘It’s a change of agricultural practice‘: Danone’s regenerative agriculture programmes with dairy farmers
Danone's regenerative agriculture programmes with dairy farmers FoodNavigator.com
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Regenerative Agriculture Programmes with Dairy Farmers: A Report on Danone’s Initiatives
FoodNavigator spoke to Oliver Verdelet, Vice President of Procurement (CPO) Europe at Danone, about the company’s regenerative agriculture programmes with dairy farmers. Verdelet is in charge not only of milk procurement but of regulatory practices as well.
Operating in 20 countries with 58,000 farmers around the world, Danone started using regenerative agriculture in 2017. Danone’s regenerative agriculture, Verdelet told us, has three pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and farmer livelihood.
The Three Pillars of Danone’s Regenerative Agriculture
- Soil Health: Danone takes a holistic approach that includes the ecosystem to ensure resilience. Soil and land are crucial to the company, which owns dairy brands like Activia, Oikos, and Actimel.
- Animal Welfare: Improving animal welfare can also enhance farmers’ livelihoods. Basic improvements like providing enough water for cows to drink can have a significant impact on both cow health and farmer income.
- Farmer Livelihood: Danone aims to support farmers in adopting efficient practices that improve productivity and income. By addressing aspects such as feed management and diet, the company helps farmers enhance their overall agricultural practices.
Agriculture accounts for 60% of Danone’s supply chain carbon footprint, with milk contributing to 36% of this total. Therefore, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through regenerative agriculture is crucial.
According to Verdelet, everything starts with herd and feed management. By implementing best practices in agriculture, feed, diet, and breed, farms can become more efficient and reduce their environmental impact.
Reducing GHG Emissions
- Danone addresses GHG emissions reduction by using methane inhibitors to decrease the methane output of its dairy cows, as methane is one of the main sources of GHGs in agriculture.
- In certain locations like Belgium, Danone actively employs methane inhibitors to further mitigate emissions.
Farmers participating in Danone’s regenerative agriculture programmes are evaluated using scorecards that track carbon reduction targets, soil health, carbon emission intensity, and animal welfare at the country level.
Adapting Agricultural Practices
Danone operates regenerative agriculture programmes in 20 countries, including the US, Belgium, and Morocco. As a result, agricultural practices vary across different regions. In places like Morocco, Danone provides assistance to farmers to help them adapt to new practices.
Verdelet emphasizes the importance of change management when introducing new agricultural practices. Some farmers have been following traditional methods for decades, so farm relationship managers play a critical role in facilitating the transition over time.
To support farmers in adopting effective practices, Danone collaborates with NGOs to produce an agricultural handbook that provides valuable information.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | – Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture – Indicator 2.4.2: Proportion of agricultural production that is sustainably managed |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | – Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: Ensure social protection for all, including the poor and vulnerable | – Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses Danone’s regenerative agriculture programs with dairy farmers, which aim to improve sustainable food production systems. This aligns with SDG 2, which focuses on achieving zero hunger and ensuring access to nutritious and sustainable food for all.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Danone’s regenerative agriculture programs also aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through practices such as methane inhibitors. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article highlights Danone’s focus on soil health as one of the pillars of their regenerative agriculture programs. This aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including land and soil.
SDG 1: No Poverty
The article mentions that improving animal welfare can also contribute to improving farmers’ livelihoods. This aligns with SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty and ensuring social protection for all, including the poor and vulnerable.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
– Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil
– Target 1.4: Ensure social protection for all, including the poor and vulnerable
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
– Indicator 2.4.2: Proportion of agricultural production that is sustainably managed
– Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
– Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | – Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture – Indicator 2.4.2: Proportion of agricultural production that is sustainably managed |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | – Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: Ensure social protection for all, including the poor and vulnerable | – Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: foodnavigator.com
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