PepsiCo & National Geographic: Regenerative Agriculture

The World Economic Forum (WEF) says due to the effects of soil erosion in agriculture half of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years, this has significant impacts on compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation and soil salinity.

Degraded soil can make it more difficult for farmers to grow food, as well as sustain their livelihood, and when soil is degraded it significantly reduces its ability to capture carbon emissions and naturally store it underground.

The WEF says that soil erosion goes far beyond the loss of fertile land, it can clog waterways meaning the decline in fish and an increased amount of pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers.

PepsiCo and the National Geographic Society have collaborated to create the Food for Tomorrow programme, promoting the use of regenerative agriculture.

What is the Food for Tomorrow programme's aim?

PepsiCo says that the programme is focused on using the power of science, storytelling and education to inspire positive change throughout the global food system.

The core focus for the project will be on regenerative agriculture, with the hopes to battle the threats of soil degradation and habitat loss. 

The two companies have come together to develop three short films to capture how farmers can embrace regenerative farming.

Alongside creating short films, the programme aims to develop a dynamic data visualisation mapping tool that will showcase how regenerative agriculture can boost food and farming resilience, it is planned to be published in the National Geographic Society website in 2026.

The project will also fund ‘Building Resilience in Agriculture,’ where five scientific grants will be awarded to those seeking innovative, nature positive proposals that apply science in real-world contexts, aiming to to find solutions to scale regenerative agriculture practices worldwide.

“Our future will be shaped by how we grow our food today — and we’re reimagining what’s possible when that system nourishes both people and the planet,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. 

“In collaboration with PepsiCo, we’re investing in bold solutions and the farmers, scientists, and storytellers leading this essential work. 

“We’re proud to fuel a global movement, rooted in science and hope, to help build a thriving future for generations to come.”

What is regenerative agriculture?

The National Geographic reports that regenerative agriculture is a set of practices that farmers use to prioritise soil health, improve watershed health and enhance biodiversity.

The practice often utilises long standing traditional knowledge alongside modern day technology and scientific innovation.

Regenerative agriculture techniques include:

• Cover crops that ensure soil is never left bare for long, minimising the disturbance of soil 
• Intercropping which focuses on the planting different types of crops that benefit each other in the same field 
• Reducing the dependence of chemical fertilizers by using compost
• Efficiently using water 
• Moving grazing livestock between different pastures 
• Several agroforest approaches

Essentially, regenerative agriculture aims to make farms more resilient to the effects of climate change. 

How does PepsiCo promote regenerative agriculture?

PepsiCo has a Positive Agriculture agenda where the company encourages the adoption of regenerative agriculture and restorative or protective practices that can scale.

It says it aims to leverage a shared value approach that includes understanding risks to ecosystems and communities, bringing together customers, suppliers, financial instruction, the insurance sector and governments. 

The company says it aims to spread the adoption of regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres of land, supporting key crops and ingredients by 2030.

Alongside expanding its regenerative agriculture landscape PepsiCo says it wants to reduce Scope 3 emissions of forest, land and agriculture by 30%, sustainably source 90% of its key ingredients and continue to strive towards deforestation-free sourcing. 

The company says that it believes regenerative agriculture practices will be pivotal in meeting the world’s increasing nutritional demand, whilst addressing key risks associated with farming such as water scarcity, deforestation, biodiversity loss and soil degradation. 

Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO at PepsiCo says: “Climate change is putting unprecedented pressure on the global food system, and farmers feel it every day. 

“As a company rooted in agriculture, we know just how fragile — and vital — that system is.

“But there are solutions that can help make businesses and farmers more resilient. Food for Tomorrow combines PepsiCo’s deep food system expertise with National Geographic’s power to advance science and inspire action. 

“Together, we’re aiming to support farmers, protect the planet, and help build a stronger, more resilient future for all.”