National Geographic Society and PepsiCo fund on-farm science to strengthen climate resilience and farmer livelihoods
Washington, D.C., 3 March 2026 – The National Geographic Society and PepsiCo have announced five new research grants to advance regenerative agriculture across key crop systems, with coffee emerging as a major focus.
The funding comes through PepsiCo’s Food for Tomorrow initiative and supports scientists working directly with farmers to test practical, science-backed solutions in real-world conditions. The goal is simple: help farmers grow food in ways that improve soil health, increase resilience to climate change, and support long-term productivity.
One of the grant recipients is Hewan Degu in Ethiopia, who will study how coffee and potato intercropping systems affect soil microbes. In simple terms, she will examine how growing coffee and potatoes together can improve soil health by strengthening beneficial microorganisms. This microbial evidence could help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices with greater confidence.
Other crops targeted in this round of funding include wheat, maize or corn, potato, and soy. These crops are central to the global food system, making them critical for sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming efforts.
The five newly selected scientists join five existing Food for Tomorrow experts who have already conducted field research across 13 crop systems in 12 countries. Their work includes on-farm trials designed to measure improvements in soil health, carbon storage, biodiversity, and crop resilience.
PepsiCo has recently expanded its global goal to promote regenerative, restorative, or protective farming practices across 10 million acres by 2030. Company leaders say supporting farmers with research-driven insights is essential as climate change and extreme weather continue to challenge global food production.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on rebuilding soil organic matter, improving water retention, reducing chemical inputs, and increasing biodiversity. Unlike conventional farming methods that may degrade soil over time, regenerative practices aim to restore ecosystems while maintaining strong crop yields.
Ian Miller, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at the National Geographic Society, emphasized that regenerative agriculture connects to broader environmental priorities such as freshwater protection, landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation, and carbon footprint reduction.
Other recipients of this round of grants include Ahan Dalal from Spain, Al Greeny S. Dewayanti from Indonesia, and Omar de Kok-Mercado and Jamie Spychalla from the United States. Each researcher will focus on practical, farm-level solutions tailored to local growing conditions.
As the global food system faces mounting pressure from climate change, soil degradation, and supply chain disruptions, investments in regenerative agriculture research are gaining attention. By combining on-farm science, sustainable farming innovation, and farmer collaboration, initiatives like Food for Tomorrow aim to build a more resilient agricultural future.
With rising interest in soil health, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable coffee production, carbon sequestration in farming, and regenerative crop systems, these new grants signal growing momentum behind science-based solutions that benefit both farmers and the planet.
