Dive Brief:
- Kellanova, a multinational food company, has announced a partnership with Varaha, Asia’s largest carbon project developer, to reduce supply chain emissions through regenerative agriculture practices. The deal aims to help 12,500 acres of corn farms in India adopt sustainable methods and reduce nearly 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
- This collaboration between Kellanova (formerly known as Kellogg’s) and Varaha is unique as it focuses on transitioning smallholder corn farms within the food brand’s supply chain rather than using offsetting mechanisms like “insetting.”
Dive Insight:
Kellanova has a verified goal under the Science-Based Targets initiative to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of this goal, they aim to enhance the wellbeing of 250,000 people in their food value chain by 2030.
The five-year partnership will assist 5,000 smallholder farmers in Maharashtra, India, in adopting regenerative agriculture practices such as improved residue management, nitrogen use efficiency, raised-bed planting, and cover cropping. These practices are designed to enhance soil health, reduce fertilizer usage, and increase crop yields.
Shaughan Kennedy, VP of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Asia Supply Chain at Kellanova, emphasized that the program with Varaha demonstrates that climate action and farmer prosperity can be mutually beneficial. This initiative sets a model for responsible sourcing that others in the industry can follow.
This partnership follows Kellanova’s recent collaboration with Indigo Ag and Walmart to transition Arkansas rice farmers to regenerative agriculture practices, showcasing their commitment to sustainable sourcing. Varaha’s investment in expanding regenerative agriculture practices further demonstrates their dedication to measurable climate and livelihood impact.
Madhur Jain, CEO of Varaha, highlighted the strong scientific foundation, innovative digital tools, and deep farmer engagement that will drive the success of the Kellanova project. He anticipates India becoming a key player in carbon removal projects, aligning with Kellanova’s global sustainability agenda.