FrieslandCampina, Lidl, ReGeNL Team Up For Regenerative Agriculture Pilot

With Lidl’s financial support and backing by ReGeNL, the three-year project will see member dairy farms implementing measures to achieve a farming system focused on soil restoration, biodiversity, and a future-proofed earning model.

The project will focus on developing tailored farm plans in the first year, the dairy giant noted.

In the following years, the new practices will be implemented, and the ecological and economic outcomes monitored.

Tuncay Özgüner, president of FrieslandCampina Retail and Americas, stated, “An increasing number of dairy farmers want to make the transition to regenerative agriculture, but they can’t do it alone.

“To enable this transition, farmers need access to knowledge, guidance, and a viable income model. Strong collaboration within the supply chain, with partners like Lidl, is essential.”

Wouter-Jan Schouten, programme director of ReGeNL, commented, “Regenerative agriculture is both feasible and promising – for farmers, the climate and nature. Thanks to Lidl’s financial support, FrieslandCampina’s expertise, and the involvement of knowledge institutions connected to ReGeNL, dairy farmers can now actively start implementing regenerative practices to build a future-proof agricultural system. This is a key step towards ReGeNL’s goal: transitioning 1,000 farmers to resilient agriculture by 2031.”

Regenerative Agriculture

The pilot project seeks to jointly develop an open-access standard for regenerative agriculture, with a strong focus on measurability of impact.

It will explore how regenerative practices, such as herb-rich grasslands and grazing, can contribute to soil health, biodiversity, sustainable food production, and a robust earning model for farmers.

Lidl is the first supermarket chain to support this initiative, FrieslandCampina noted.

Erik van den Hoogen, CCO and director of purchasing and marketing at Lidl Netherlands, added, “We want the best for our customers and for the world around us – today and in the future. 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.”