Regenerative Agri-Food - Summary and Presentation

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On the 6th of June, the NAB hosted its latest Breakfast Inspiration Workshop, focusing on Regenerative Agri-Food. This session provided a platform for dynamic dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to addressing the complex challenges facing our AgriFood systems.  

The NAB is thankful to the speakers that provided insightful contributions. 

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Diederik Wokke from Wire Group, emphasized the critical need to transition from extractive farming practices to regenerative agriculture. He emphasized its environmental and economic benefits which can be achieved through investments in farmland and enabling technologies, while addressing the challenges of measuring impact through frameworks. Following this, Richard Jacobs from Van Lanschot Kempen IM highlighted the necessity of demonstrating profitability in regenerative farming and underlined the critical importance of integrating natural systems into agricultural practices. Adam Kybird from Triodos IM underlined the need to adopt a holistic perspective in transforming the food system. Through the presentation of case studies, he highlighted Triodos' transition loans for farms shifting to organic/biodynamic practices. Mark Koppejan from Smallholder Agroforestry Finance, powered by Rabo Foundation, discussed the shift towards agroforestry, including blended finance interventions, which have the potential to unlock significant revenue back to local partners and farmers, improving their livelihoods and reducing CO2 emissions.  

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An immersive 60-minute Q&A ensued, prompting an engaging discussion on the opportunities and challenges that are involved with impact investments in the regenerative agri-food sector.    

 

Key Takeaways Include:  

• Changing the food system requires a holistic approach. Therefore, collaboration between different stakeholders is crucial to drive positive systemic change. 

• To feed the growing populations, food production must be doubled by 2050 but also issues of obesity, food waste, and protein management must be addressed.  

• Demonstrating the business case for regenerative agriculture is crucial for attracting capital from institutional investors that, as part of their fiduciary duty, want to contribute to a livable world and mitigate systemic risks.

• We need to work on consumer awareness about the nutrition and health benefits of regeneratively farmed products. Certification and new marketing techniques can be useful tools. This approach can drive policy changes and increase demand. 

To conclude, transitioning to regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems requires a collective effort from multiple stakeholders, including farmers, investors, consumers, and policymakers. Financial support, consumer education, and robust measurement frameworks are essential to drive this transition and ensure its success. 

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Download the presentation HERE.