Drive low carbon farming with measurable impact

The environmental and socioeconomic context surrounding PRO Carbono is shaped by the urgent challenges of climate change, which threaten food security by reducing crop yields and increase production risks. These challenges are further exacerbated by the need to feed a growing global population. Regenerative agriculture, which includes practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and no-till farming, is recognized as a key strategy for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) and building resilience to climate impacts. However, widespread adoption requires robust, science-based decision support for farmers and stakeholders. PRO Carbono addresses these needs by providing technical guidance, digital tools, and a collaborative ecosystem to scale sustainable agriculture in Brazil and Argentina. The program aligns with regulatory frameworks and supports Bayer's mission of 'Health for All, Hunger for None' [1], and aims to promote regenerative agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the carbon sequestration capacity of the soil, as well as to address immediate climate challenges.

The program follows a structured, multi-stage approach: (1) strategic selection of plots, (2) socio-environmental compliance assessment, (3) soil collection and analysis for fertility and carbon, (4) tailored three-year management plans, and (5) access to incentives from partner companies.

This holistic process ensures that farmers receive the necessary support to adopt regenerative practices, resulting in improved productivity, profitability, and environmental outcomes [1][3], as well as playing a crucial role in environmental preservation and climate change mitigation. PRO Carbono relies on technological solutions (tools) that enable the automated and auditable measurement, monitoring, and verification of carbon emissions and sequestration. These tools facilitate large-scale implementation and reduce dependence on manual processes, making the program easily replicable in different agricultural contexts.

Sustainability Impact

Climate

After 4 years and more than 300,000 soil analyses performed, the program has demonstrated an average carbon removal of 928 kgCO₂eq/ha/year for high-adoption growers, compared to 355 kgCO₂eq/ha/year for low-adoption growers. Emissions reductions of up to 756 kgCO₂eq/ton of commodity produced have been observed in high-adoption systems [1][3].

Regenerative practices promoted by PRO Carbono improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce negative impacts on natural ecosystems. Practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage enhance soil structure, water retention, and microbial diversity, supporting long-term ecosystem resilience [1][3][4].

The program targets Scope 1 (direct farm emissions), Scope 2 (energy use), and Scope 3 (supply chain) GHG emissions, with a focus on Scope 3, Category 1 (Purchased Goods and Services) and Category 11 (Use of Sold Products) under the GHG Protocol.

Social

The program delivers positive social impacts by providing over 250 hours of training to more than 2,000 growers, improving livelihoods through increased productivity and profitability, and fostering knowledge sharing among farming communities. The initiative also supports food security and rural development [1][3].

Business Impact

Benefits

Beyond sustainability, PRO Carbono delivers business value by increasing operational efficiency, supporting compliance with emerging regulations, and opening new market opportunities. The program enables cost savings through improved input use and productivity, strengthens supply chain resilience, and enhances Bayer's reputation as a leader in sustainable agriculture [1][3].

Costs

Bayer invests in research, digital tools, and knowledge transfer to support the program. Farmers are responsible for the costs of implementing regenerative practices, but benefit from special conditions and incentives provided by partner companies.

Typical Business Profile

PRO Carbono is most relevant for large-scale crop producers (soy, corn, cotton) in Latin America, particularly those seeking to advance on the Net Zero and Nature Positive journey.

Approach

Implementation follows these key steps:

1. Selection of participating farms and plots.

2. Socio-environmental compliance assessment.

3. Baseline soil sampling and analysis.

4. Development of a tailored three-year management plan.

5. Training and capacity building for growers.

6. Implementation of regenerative practices (e.g., cover cropping, no-till, crop rotation).

7. Final soil sampling and analysis to measure impact.

8. Continuous improvement and scaling through partnerships.

Stakeholders Involved

Key stakeholders include academic and research institutions (e.g., Embrapa, Esalq/USP, INTA), agricultural input companies, financial organizations, certifiers, traders, food industry partners, and growers. These partners collaborate to develop protocols, provide technical support, and ensure the program's effectiveness and scalability [1][3].

Key Parameters to Consider

• Initiative maturity: PRO Carbono is a maturing, science-based program with proven results and international recognition [1][3].

• Implementation timeline: Typically structured as a three-year program, with initial results observed after the first cycle.

• Average lifetime: Multi-year, with ongoing updates to practices and tools.

• Technical constraints: Requires access to digital tools, soil analysis, and training.

• Geographical relevance: High for tropical and subtropical crop regions in Latin America.

• Subsidies: Incentives and special conditions are available through partner companies and financial institutions.

• Other: Success depends on farmer engagement, regulatory alignment, and robust monitoring systems.

Implementation and Operations Tips

• Main challenges: Adapting certification standards, ensuring rapid adoption, and demonstrating measurable results.

• Overcoming challenges: Provide science-based training, use demonstration plots, and leverage digital MRV tools.

• Tips: Foster partnerships, maintain transparent communication, and continuously update protocols to reflect best practices.