Potatoes are a cornerstone of PepsiCo’s snack production, used in brands like Lay’s, Ruffles, and Sabritas. However, conventional farming methods contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—agriculture alone accounted for 37% of PepsiCo’s total emissions in 2023. To address this, the company has launched a regenerative agriculture pilot program across 700 hectares in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina, involving 20 farmers.
The Role of Low-Carbon Fertilizers
PepsiCo’s collaboration with Yara International is key to reducing emissions. Yara’s Climate Choice fertilizers, made with green or blue ammonia, can cut the carbon footprint of potato farming by up to 60% compared to conventional fertilizers.
- Green ammonia: Produced using renewable energy.
- Blue ammonia: Uses carbon capture during production.
Additionally, precision farming techniques help minimize fertilizer waste, reducing nitrous oxide emissions—a GHG 300 times more potent than CO₂.
Regenerative Agriculture: Beyond Fertilizers
PepsiCo’s program doesn’t stop at fertilizers. Farmers receive training in:
- Soil health management (cover cropping, reduced tillage)
- Water conservation
- Biodiversity enhancement
These practices align with broader regenerative agriculture principles, which can sequester up to 4-6 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually (Source: Rodale Institute, 2023).
The Bigger Picture: Climate Resilience & Food Security
Climate change threatens global agriculture, with the UN projecting a 60% increase in food demand by 2050. Meanwhile, extreme weather events—like droughts and floods—are already disrupting yields.
Regenerative farming offers a solution by:
✅ Improving soil resilience
✅ Enhancing water retention
✅ Stabilizing yields under climate stress
PepsiCo is not alone in this effort. In 2023, it joined forces with Mars, McCain Foods, McDonald’s, and Waitrose to create a unified regenerative agriculture framework, addressing the lack of standardized definitions in the sector.
A Model for the Future?
PepsiCo’s LATAM initiative demonstrates how corporate-agribusiness partnerships can drive sustainable farming at scale. By combining low-carbon inputs, precision agriculture, and regenerative practices, the program could serve as a blueprint for other crops—corn, wheat, oats, and bananas—next on PepsiCo’s agenda.
For farmers and agronomists, adopting these methods could mean higher long-term productivity with lower environmental costs. For the planet, it’s a step toward decarbonizing agriculture while ensuring food security.
