Soil Capital has announced its fourth round of farmer payments as part of its regenerative agriculture programme, with total disbursements reaching £12.4 million since inception. The announcement comes at a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty but underscores the growing relevance of soil-first farming practices in shaping a more sustainable food system.

The Belgium-headquartered agritech firm confirmed the expansion of its programme across the UK, France, and Belgium, reporting that 1,100 farmers are now enrolled, up from 800 the previous year. These farmers collectively manage 322,000 hectares of land under regenerative practices – a 34% year-on-year increase.

Alongside the increase in participation, the environmental gains are notable. Climate benefits from these practices have reached 330,000 tonnes of CO₂e, representing a 38% rise compared to the previous year. Farmers are compensated based on environmental impact from the previous year’s harvest, making these payouts a direct link between land stewardship and income.

Carbon Credits in a Volatile Market

In the last 12 months alone, Soil Capital has distributed £4.6 million in payments based on the 2023 harvest. The first part of the 2024 cycle, just three months in, has already seen £3.6 million go to farmers. These payments are made possible through the sale of “Soil Capital Units” – certified environmental credits generated from verified regenerative outcomes.

While the voluntary carbon market has slowed due to macroeconomic pressures, including inflation, supply chain disruptions, and changing regulatory frameworks, Soil Capital is positioning itself as a steady force in a turbulent landscape.

“The voluntary carbon market may be maturing, but so is the urgency for food system renewal,” said Chuck de Liedekerke, CEO and co-founder of Soil Capital. “While regenerative agriculture has momentum, we now need to accelerate and scale.”

Corporate Involvement and Farmer-First Strategies

To weather market volatility and sustain long-term impact, Soil Capital is leaning into partnerships with major players in the agri-food sector, including Mars Group, Boortmalt, and Cefetra. These collaborations underpin Soil Capital’s “Beyond Carbon” framework, which aims to reward a fuller spectrum of regenerative benefits – from improved biodiversity and soil structure to reduced agrochemical use.

“Success will demand bold action from governments, continued investment from the agri-food sector, and a shared commitment to a farmer-first approach,” added de Liedekerke.

Soil Capital’s “Beyond Carbon” strategy aims to diversify how regenerative success is measured and monetised. Instead of focusing solely on carbon offsets, it incorporates metrics such as soil health, erosion control, and biodiversity preservation. This broader scope responds to criticism that carbon-only models can oversimplify complex ecological realities.

Farmers at the Core of the Transition

For many farmers, the regenerative shift is not just a business strategy but a philosophical one.

“We have been working towards a lower input, more nature friendly way of arable farming here at Sweethope for almost a decade now,” said David Fuller-Shapcott, a farmer in the Scottish Borders. “This move to a more sustainable approach has included a working partnership with Soil Capital, who are rewarding us for our journey in this direction.”

Fuller-Shapcott noted that the push toward sustainable practices also aligns with customer expectations: “We are also seeing our customers looking for sustainability improvements in our production practices, where compliance is also rewarded. It makes sense to me that we should be financially recognised for doing our bit towards reducing emissions whilst helping the environment in which we work.”

A Maturing Regenerative Ecosystem

The rise of regenerative agriculture is part of a broader shift across the food and agriculture industry. With pressure mounting from both consumers and policymakers, companies are increasingly being asked to provide transparency on sustainability metrics.

Soil Capital’s approach stands out by directly linking farmers’ environmental performance to financial compensation. Since its founding in 2019, the company has built its model on the premise that farmers must be at the centre of food system transformation. Through its work, it provides both economic and ecological incentives, proving that the two can be aligned rather than at odds.

This scaling of regenerative practices also reflects a deeper reckoning within the carbon offset space. As corporate actors reassess how and where to invest in environmental outcomes, attention is shifting toward programmes with measurable, multi-benefit impacts. Soil health, carbon drawdown, water retention, and biodiversity can no longer be viewed in isolation – they are increasingly part of a unified metric for agricultural sustainability.

Looking Ahead

Despite macro-level uncertainty, the trajectory for regenerative agriculture appears resilient. Soil Capital’s latest figures suggest that when the right incentives are in place, adoption can grow quickly. Yet, as de Liedekerke pointed out, success will require more than just corporate buy-in.

Long-term scaling will hinge on supportive policy environments and a shared commitment across the agricultural value chain. By continuing to reward farmers not only for reducing emissions but for regenerating ecosystems, companies like Soil Capital are pushing the boundaries of what sustainable farming can look like. The result is a more resilient food system – one hectare at a time.