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By 2050, feeding a global population will demand a transformation in food production – one that maintains soil health, biodiversity and economic resilience. A key solution is regenerative agriculture, something that is gaining momentum across Europe, as demand for sustainably sourced food rises and supply chain issues increase. Candy Siekmann, director of climate smart Ag origination at ADM, explains how collaborations can help farmers implement sustainable practices and bring regenerative agriculture to their farms and help create a resilient global food system.

By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion – presenting one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to build a resilient food system that can feed a growing world. Meeting this demand requires a transformation in food production – ensuring that our soils remain fertile and our farms economically resilient for generations to come.

Regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to this transformation. It is an outcome-based farming approach that protects and improves soil health, biodiversity and water resources and increases value for farmers. It encompasses practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping and responsibly managing inputs – grounded in the understanding that no two farms are alike.

Momentum is building across Europe, with regenerative agriculture increasingly recognised as a vital strategy for building a more resilient food system. Consumers are helping to drive demand, with 54% of consumers in EMEA more likely to purchase foods and beverages from companies that practice regenerative agriculture and 64% of global shoppers actively seeking out products from companies that support farmers and local communities.

But scaling regenerative practices will require something just as essential as the soil itself: partnership. From agronomic support to food manufacturers, strong collaboration across the value chain is essential to connect farmers with the financial resources, technical expertise and market access they need to adopt and sustain regenerative practices.

It all starts with the farmer

Farmers have always been stewards of the land, striving to do what is right for their livelihoods, their families and their communities. Supporting them means meeting them where they are, recognising the diversity of their operations.

There are important structural and cultural differences between farming in Europe and North America. These shape how regenerative agriculture practices are adopted in each region. In Europe, farms are often more diverse, with cropping systems that vary widely – from smaller, family-run operations in the west to expensive agricultural holdings in the east. In contrast, US farms tend to be larger and more specialised, often focused on a narrower range of crops. European crop rotations have a stronger emphasis on winter crops, such as conola, wheat, barley and rye, compared to spring crops like corn, soybeans and oats that dominate in the US. These distinctions influence not only the agronomic strategies farmers use, but also how they tailor regenerative practices to their local soil.

Despite these differences, one thing remains constant: farmers don’t want to do it alone. They value practical support, trusted guidance and a clear sense of how new practices will benefit their operations.

That’s why solid agronomic advice and hands-on training need to be the cornerstone of any regenerative agriculture programme. In Poland, for example, ADM works with Biospheres to provide a full training programme for farmers. The journey for participating farmers starts with on-farm assessments followed by regular training sessions on topics such as sustainable farm economics and soil fertility. Beyond training, such programmes encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing. Field visits and peer-to-peer exchanges provide forums to share experiences, explore new techniques and build a network of support rooted in practical knowledge.

Data-driven collaboration

As consumer demand grows for more regenerative farmed products, verifying the use of practices further up the supply chain and measuring the impact is essential. Technologies like data analytics, satellite imaging and other innovations provide farmers with valuable insights to monitor their progress and refine their on-farm practices.

Working with technical partners is also important. These partnerships are designed to benefit farmers as much as the wider supply chain. Growers receive regular feedback on key performance indicators, including yield, empowering them to benchmark their progress and make data-informed decisions.

The power of upstream partnerships

One of the most critical needs in scaling regenerative agriculture is better access to financial incentives that give farmers confidence to invest. In the agricultural value chain, we must play a central role in connecting farmers with major global food companies, which are essential partners in driving sustainable practices and delivering value to consumers.

The road ahead

As regenerative agriculture continues to gain momentum across Europe, one thing is clear. No single actor can drive this transformation alone. Achieving meaningful change requires strong, cross-sector partnerships built on trust, shared purpose and practical collaboration. And at the heart of this movement are the farmers – scaling regenerative agriculture begins with empowering them.