To some analysts in the world of Agriculture, the term “regenerative agriculture” might sound novel and sexy. But it is something close to the land tenure system practiced by our forefathers, with some modern embellishment to deepen its impact. It is a farming system focused on restoring and improving the health of the soil and the surrounding environment, rather than depleting it. It works with nature to enhance biodiversity, improve the water cycle, and build soil health, while also aiming for economic viability and producing nutrient-dense food.
Key practices and benefits in regenerative agriculture include reducing soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover with cover crops, increasing biodiversity through crop rotations, and integrating livestock and living roots into the system.
This practice will incorporate livestock grazing in a planned way to build soil fertility and manage vegetation, besides ensuring healthier, more nutrient-dense food, as well as healthier soil that can produce more nutrient-dense crops, and economic viability for farmers
While the benefits are quite significant, there are some challenges in supporting farmers in the transition to these new practices
Nestlé Nigeria stands out as a megabrand leveraging regenerative agriculture as a cornerstone of its strategy to build a sustainable food system that will overcome the diverse and pressing threats hindering agricultural growth. As part of a global commitment to source 50% of its key ingredients from farmers practicing regenerative agricultural methods by 2030, Nestlé Nigeria is actively pioneering impactful projects that align closely with the principles of regenerative farming to boost productivity, enhance soil health, and support climate resilience.
One flagship initiative illustrating this commitment by Neste Nigeria is the StreFaS program, launched in 2024 in partnership with AGRA, TechnoServe, and other stakeholders. This three-year project aims to equip 25,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria with regenerative farming skills, focusing on climate-smart agriculture techniques such as cover cropping, minimal tillage (ripping), crop rotation, and the use of hedgerows. These practices restore soil vitality, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby addressing major agricultural challenges including soil degradation, climate variability, and pest outbreaks—all of which threaten food security and the livelihoods of millions.
The program specifically targets staple crops like maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum, which are central to Nigeria’s food system and vital to the supply chain of Nestlé’s popular brands such as Maggi. Since its pilot phase, over 1,000 soybean farmers have seen their yields double through the application of these regenerative methods, highlighting both the economic and environmental benefits of this approach. Furthermore, the initiative actively promotes inclusivity by empowering youth and women, groups that are key to long-term agricultural sustainability but often underserved.
In Nigeria, the StreFaS is poised to support over 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators across Kaduna and Nasarawa States, promoting sustainable production of maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum. It focuses on integrating regenerative agriculture into every step of the value chain, with particular emphasis on empowering youth and women.
It will also help improve soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase biodiversity, and strengthen economic resilience.
Furthermore, the program connects smallholder farmers to formal markets, including Nestlé’s supply chain, enabling them to receive premium prices for climate-smart produce.
The launch event, which took place in Zaria, Kaduna State, brought together high-level representatives from the government, development partners, private-sector stakeholders, and members of the media.
The event featured keynote speeches from implementing partners, a case study from a climate-smart farmer, and a powerful project overview underscoring the initiative’s role in transforming Nigeria’s grain value chains.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Adesuwa Akinboro, Country Director of TechnoServe Nigeria, described the STREFAS initiative as a transformative step for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This project represents a bold commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive in the face of climate change.
Speaking on Nestlé’s commitment, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, added: “At Nestlé, we believe that good food starts with high-quality ingredients and the well-being of the people who produce them.
“Our partnership in this initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable sourcing and decarbonizing our value chain. Globally, we aim to source at least 50% of our key ingredients from farmers practising regenerative agriculture by 2030”.
According to Elhusseini, with an investment of over $1,000,000, the project over the next three years will contribute effectively towards establishing regenerative agriculture as the standard in the food industry, addressing both environmental and social priorities holistically
The StreFaS initiative is aligned with AGRA’s 3.0 Country Strategy, Nestlé’s 2030 Climate Resilience Sourcing Goals, and TechnoServe’s proven expertise in building market-driven solutions for rural prosperity.
By connecting smallholder farmers to better tools, markets, and capital, StreFaS will scale regeneration in ways that are profitable and empowering.
Nestlé’s regenerative agriculture framework, embedded in its global Agriculture Framework, focuses on locally relevant solutions tailored to Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones. It draws on global best practices from conservation agriculture, agroecology, and precision farming, adapted through collaborations with leading organizations and research institutions. This holistic approach supports soil health restoration, water conservation, and biodiversity promotion—measures that contribute toward enhanced ecosystem services and resilience against climate change.
Focusing on regenerative agriculture directly contributes to tackling the negative effects of soil degradation, while also mitigating the carbon footprint of agriculture—one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions across the world. With regenerative practices, Nestlé Nigeria is not just helping to sustain the natural resource base that is vital for future agricultural productivity, but is also fostering a food system that supports economic growth and social equity,.
Indeed, Nestlé Nigeria’s regenerative agriculture initiatives exemplify a transformative pathway toward sustainable food systems. By empowering farmers through education, innovative techniques, and access to markets, the company is creating resilient agricultural landscapes that address today’s most critical challenges. This positions Nestlé Nigeria as a leader in driving sustainable agricultural growth that benefits farmers, consumers, and the broader ecosystem alike, setting a benchmark for food system transformation in Nigeria and the African continent
Still in line with this approach, Nestlé has been collaborating with farmers in northern France since 2018 to implement regenerative agriculture methods through the Sols Vivants initiative, which is supported by partners like Earthworm Foundation and Lidl. With a focus on agroforestry, various cover crops, and the provision of technical and financial support to farmers, over 200 farmers have been engaged, and 72,000 tons of raw materials have been sourced through regenerative agriculture practices
Stakeholders in the Agriculture value chain globally are concerned about the challenges facing the future of agriculture and its negative effect on food security. They emphasize the need to address the issue to guarantee a sustainable food system for the global population now and in the future.
There is no doubt that a threat to the future of agriculture is also a threat to food security and economic sustainability. Food security remains a key indicator of economic stability and development. According to the 1996 World Food Summit, food security exists when all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times.
In Nigeria, recent reports indicate that food insecurity is worsening. Research by the Cadre Harmonisé, supported by the Federal Government, predicts that this number could rise to 33.1 million due to inflation, climate change, and insecurity.
Commenting on the importance of boosting agriculture to ensure a sustainable food system, the Director-General of the Premier Agribusiness Academy and the Feed Industry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (FIPAN), Dr. Toromade Olugbenga, revealed critical insights into addressing the crisis, stressing the importance of sustainable food production, economic stability, and technological advancements in agriculture.
He identified major challenges in the sector, including climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, high production costs, and unpredictable market demands.
To counter these threats, he advocated for precision farming, alternative feed sources, renewable energy, and smart agricultural technologies, as well as strengthening supply chains, investing in research, and promoting sustainable farming practices to enhance productivity and reduce food waste.
In Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria plays a significant role in the future of Nigerian agriculture by promoting regenerative agriculture, supporting farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and investing in the agricultural sector through various impactful initiatives aimed at boosting agriculture and promoting a sustainable food system.
Over the years, the “Good Food, Good Life” Company, has continued to invest in the agricultural sector through various initiatives like the Sorghum and Millet in the Sahel (SMS) Project, the Nestlé Needs YOUth programme Nestlé Nigeria & IFDC/2Scale Project Sorghum & Millet, Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership (M-QIP), among many other projetcs.
Nestle’s Sorghum and Millet in the Sahel (SMS) Project, in partnership with IFDC, aims to strengthen the resilience of millet/sorghum farming systems in North-western Nigeria, reaching 30,000 farmers in two years.
Nestlé Nigeria & IFDC/2Scale Project Sorghum & Millet initiative empowers smallholder farmers with sustainable farming practices to improve grain quality and productivity.
Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership (M-QIP) enhanced the quality and safety of maize and soybeans available to Nestlé’s factories, supporting USAID’s goals of revitalizing Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Nestlé Needs YOUth Programme aims to help 10 million young people globally access economic opportunities by 2030, including providing training and mentorship for young agripreneurs.
In addressing food quality at the farm level, Nestlé and its implementing partners are making a remarkable impact. The areas include empowering farmers to manage their businesses, supporting thousands of farmers to introduce more sustainable practices on their farmlands, and providing technical and financial support to farmers in its supply chain, boosting the nation’s agricultural sector and the government’s food security programme.