Regenerative Agriculture Support from PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation for Sugar Beet Growers in Türkiye

PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation are continuing their regenerative agriculture efforts in Türkiye, France and Spain with the aim of strengthening the long-term resilience of agricultural production and supporting farmers' adaptation to changing production conditions. Within the scope of the collaboration, more than 250 farmers across the three countries are being supported in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices, while work is being carried out with sugar beet growers in Türkiye on approximately 480 hectares of land.

PepsiCo, one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, continues its efforts to secure the future of agricultural production and support farmers' adaptation to changing production conditions. In this context, the regenerative agriculture program carried out with Earthworm Foundation focuses on helping sugar beet growers in Türkiye adopt practices that protect soil health and strengthen the resilience of agricultural production.

Through the work carried out in Türkiye, France and Spain, support is being provided to more than 250 farmers across Europe in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices. The programs are shaped according to the agricultural conditions of each country and the needs of the growers.

Field support for sugar beet growers in Türkiye

The program carried out in Türkiye through the collaboration between PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation aims to make it easier for sugar beet growers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. The work, which brings together field visits, soil assessments and technical training, also provides farmers with support during the implementation process to help them put into practice methods suited to local production conditions.

The work, which currently covers an area of approximately 480 hectares, continues to expand as new practices are trialled in the field and incorporated into production processes.

While the transition to regenerative agriculture practices offers long-term benefits for farmers, access to technical knowledge and financial resources is important in the adoption of new methods. In the process of transitioning from traditional production methods to regenerative agriculture, growers need to adapt to the transformation while safeguarding their productivity and income. The program aims to help farmers manage this process with greater confidence and adopt practices that protect the long-term health of the soil.

Sugar beet grower Orhan Arslan described the importance of the collaboration for them in these words:

“Our livelihood depends on the yield we get from each harvest. Changing the production methods that have given us yields for years is not an easy decision for us. That is why this collaboration is of great importance to us. The technical and financial support provided reduces the uncertainties we experience when switching to new methods. As a result, our concern about losing income decreases, and we can take steps with greater confidence to protect the long-term health of our soil.”

Kaan Demir, who has been implementing various regenerative agriculture methods for two years within the scope of the program, shared his experience as follows:

“I have been implementing various regenerative agriculture methods for two years within the scope of this collaboration, and I can see the positive change. I want to continue these practices. Technical and financial support will contribute to our moving forward with greater confidence, seeing our path more clearly, and ensuring the continuity of this transformation.”

More than 250 farmers supported across Europe

In addition to their work in Türkiye, PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation also carry out activities in France and Spain to expand the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. The programs, shaped according to the agricultural conditions of each country and the needs of farmers, aim to develop solutions to the challenges faced by growers and strengthen the long-term resilience of agricultural production.

In France, the RE'COL'TE program, led by Earthworm Foundation, supports 175 farmers in the Hauts-de-France region. The initiative, which brings together PepsiCo, Nestlé, Tereos, Agora and Unéal cooperatives, Groupe Carré and France's ecological transition agency ADEME, supports the protection of soil health and the spread of regenerative agriculture practices by bringing together public resources, private sector investments and agricultural expertise.

In Spain, PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation are focusing on understanding the practical and financial barriers faced by rapeseed, sunflower and corn growers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices. The program, developed through assessments with suppliers, field visits and interviews conducted with farmers, aims to offer solutions suited to the needs of different crops and regions.

Archana Jagannathan: “Empowering farmers is critical for the future of a sustainable food system”

Archana Jagannathan, PepsiCo Europe, Middle East and Africa Sustainability Director, noted that agriculture lies at the foundation of the company's operations and that farmers play a critical role in building a more resilient food system, stating the following:

“Agriculture lies at the foundation of our business, and farmers are at the heart of our efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable food system. The success of farmers is critical not only for the future of agriculture, but also for the long-term security of the raw materials, communities and ecosystems on which food production depends. That is why we are committed to scaling regenerative agriculture in a way that responds to farmers' needs. In France, Spain and Türkiye, we are collaborating with farmers, suppliers, cooperatives and local experts to develop solutions that reflect regional conditions and priorities. Our goal is to ensure that farmers have access to the knowledge, tools and support they need to strengthen their resilience, increase their productivity and help shape the future of agriculture.”

Bastien Sachet, Chief Executive of Earthworm Foundation, emphasized that protecting soil health is important not only for agricultural production but also for water resources, biodiversity and resilience against climate change. Sachet used the following words in his assessment:

“Our work in France, Spain and Türkiye has shown us that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By shaping programs according to local realities and the needs of farmers, we can strengthen resilience and create lasting value for farming communities and the broader food system. Accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture requires the entire ecosystem to move together. That is why it is extremely encouraging to see companies like PepsiCo investing in and supporting this transformation.”

Ergün Günay, General Manager of PepsiCo Türkiye, also drew attention to the importance of regenerative agriculture in the food system of the future, stating the following:

“Agriculture is of great importance for the continuity of the food system and meeting the needs of future generations. To secure this future, we need to protect our soil, safeguard our natural resources, and make it easier for our farmers to adapt to changing conditions. As PepsiCo Türkiye, we consider the spread of regenerative agriculture a priority from this perspective. We believe that collaborations bringing together the knowledge and experience of different stakeholders play an important role in accelerating this transformation. I find the work we carry out with Earthworm Foundation very valuable in this respect. Through this, we support the spread of regenerative agriculture practices by working together with sugar beet growers in Türkiye. Our aim is to strengthen the future of agricultural production with solutions that take into account the needs of our farmers and to be part of a lasting change in this field.”

Global-scale expansion of regenerative agriculture practices is targeted

PepsiCo and Earthworm Foundation aim to expand their work across Europe in collaboration with farmers, suppliers and local stakeholders. Through knowledge sharing, field implementation and benefiting from farmers' experiences, the aim is to spread regenerative agriculture practices, strengthen the resilience of farms and support the long-term development of farming communities.

This work forms part of PepsiCo's goal of ensuring the adoption of regenerative, restorative and conservation agriculture practices on 10 million acres, approximately 40 million decares, of land worldwide by 2030. As of 2025, the company had reached 4.7 million acres, approximately 19 million decares, of land within this scope.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products reach consumers more than one billion times a day in over 200 countries and territories around the world. With a food and beverage portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker and SodaStream brands, PepsiCo generated approximately $94 billion in net revenue in 2025.

PepsiCo's vision is to be a global leader in beverages and convenient foods by winning with its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy. The company's end-to-end transformation strategy, pep+, centers on sustainability and human capital, aiming to operate within planetary boundaries, inspire positive change for the planet and people, and create long-term value.

About Earthworm Foundation

Earthworm Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with companies, communities, public institutions and civil society organizations to address the social and environmental issues encountered in supply chains and raw material sourcing regions. With teams operating across multiple continents, the organization helps institutions turn their commitments into concrete practices and supports the regeneration of land and forests with people, for people.