Bunge Ltd. and Nutrien Ag Solutions have announced a strategic alliance to enhance support to US farmers in the transition to lower-carbon agriculture to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable products. The initiative is expected to expand sustainable agriculture across shared supply chains in North America, bringing more whole-acre solutions to food, feed, and fuel customers and end-consumers.
The initial program will focus on soybeans grown in the regions close to Bunge’s crushing facilities in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Decatur, Ind., with the opportunity for future expansion to other locations and crops such as corn and wheat. The program is targeting the 2023/2024 crop season and is expected to include practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, nutrient management, and responsible pesticide use.
Nutrien Ag plans to provide crop consulting services; custom applications of fertility and/or chemistry; analytical testing of soil, water, and tissue; traceability; and data collection via its proprietary platform, Agrible, which uses predictive agronomic forecasts and sustainability metrics.
“Sustainable agriculture is an important part of modern farming and essential for being stewards of the environment,” said Rob Clayton, Nutrien Ag Senior Vice President, North America. “We are very excited to be working with Bunge to connect growers through the shared purpose of being caretakers of the land. At Nutrien Ag Solutions, we understand that every farm is unique and pride ourselves on being able to provide personalized, whole-acre solutions for every field through the agronomists and crop consultants that work directly with our growers. We look forward to providing our services during this initial program for the upcoming crop season and beyond.”
Bunge plans to contract with these farmers and manage harvest and post-harvest commercialization.
“We are excited to be a key partner to downstream customers in bringing solutions to help them meet commitments to reduce emissions in their value chains, as well as incorporate regen ag practices across their ingredients and end-consumer products. As the global leader in oilseed processing, we are positioned to leverage alliances with innovative industry players to unlock value along the value chain – from farmers to consumers – and help make our food systems more sustainable,” said Julio Garros, Bunge’s Co-President, Agribusiness.