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Sustainability leaders are under pressure. Rising interest rates, inflation, and a dip in consumer spending have created a capital crunch across the food and ag industry. In this environment, regenerative agriculture programs must deliver clear, measurable business value or risk losing internal support.
According to our 2025 State of Ag Resilience Report, 1 in 4 companies cited “proving ROI” as the top challenge to driving investment in regenerative agriculture. The message is clear: to scale these programs, companies need to align investments with business outcomes.
Emissions reductions matter, but they’re not the whole story
Carbon outcomes remain a critical part of the equation. Companies want to know that regenerative practices can reduce emissions, contribute to climate targets, and meet public commitments. That’s why many companies use carbon outcomes as a primary driver for investment. However, leaders in the industry are also quantifying the value of co-benefits to strengthen the business case for investment. These efforts are most effective when aligned with company-wide sustainability targets—creating internal clarity, enabling cross-functional collaboration, and building momentum for long-term impact. (Read more about the power of goal-setting in our recent blog).
As Ryan Locke, Director of Sustainability Partnerships & Business Development at Nutrien, puts it:
There has to be a return on investment or an economically viable reason to participate in this ecosystem. As a company focused on producers, we want the producer to win, because when the producer wins, we win as their partner.
It’s not just about hitting carbon targets. It’s about securing supply, protecting margins, and delivering value across the organization.
A broader view of ROI
Our research shows that the most effective regen ag programs capture both direct and indirect returns. That includes measurable environmental outcomes and broader business benefits, such as:
- Stabilized ingredient pricing
- Improved supply chain resilience across supply sheds
- Increased consumer demand for sustainably-branded products
- Reduced risk of climate-related losses
- Improved farmer profitability and long-term sourcing partnerships
When companies quantify these benefits, they build a stronger case for investment—one that resonates with stakeholders across sourcing, finance, sustainability, and executive leadership.
The data behind ROI
One of the biggest barriers to scaling regenerative programs has been proving their value in clear, quantifiable terms—especially when it comes to indirect benefits. But new tools and technologies are making it easier to connect on-farm outcomes to business performance.
Today, with improved emissions modeling, remote sensing, and integrated farm data, companies can measure impacts like reduced climate risk, better input use, and measurable emissions reductions. These insights allow sustainability teams to demonstrate how regenerative practices drive financial value and operational resilience—bridging the gap between climate action and business strategy.
This is what it takes to move from pilot projects to full-scale programs: a clear, compelling business case that justifies investment and enables action.
What else do we need to scale agriculture resilience? Strong, effective partnerships. More on that in our next blog.
