The Path to Sustainable Agriculture Through Collaboration and Innovation

Anna Pierce is the director of sustainability at Tate & Lyle, a world leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages. With 20+ years of experience, she crafts innovative sustainability programs that drive positive change and align with company values.

Pierce spearheaded the transformation of Tate & Lyle’s sustainability programs, setting ambitious 2030 targets, including science-based greenhouse gas reduction goals. She embeds sustainability into operations and the supply chain, securing a sustainability-linked credit facility and aligning progress with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

A champion of collaboration, Pierce partnered with Truterra in 2019 to launch the largest U.S. sustainable agriculture program, supporting 1.5 million acres. She also initiated a stevia grower outreach program in China for reduced environmental impact and improved farmer livelihoods. Pierce's focus on partnerships is aimed at ensuring Tate & Lyle exceeds customer expectations. Through this article, Anna Pierce, Director of Sustainability at Tate & Lyle, shares insights on leading sustainable agriculture initiatives amidst a changing landscape. She discusses how Tate & Lyle leverages technology, strategic partnerships, and a farmer-focused approach to meet its ambitious science-based targets.

What are the current advancements in sustainable agriculture, and how do they contribute to overcoming the challenges faced by organizations in meeting their business requirements?

Tate & Lyle is deeply invested in sustainable agriculture, focusing on mitigating scope 3 emissions, which are significantly impacted by agricultural practices. Currently, we are pursuing more ambitious 1.5C Science Based Targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to further reduce our emissions in operations and supply chain.  This highlights the importance of agriculture not only to Tate & Lyle but to our customers, as we strive to meet growing consumer demand for sustainably sourced and produced ingredient solutions.

While technological advancements are important, we recognize that solutions must be tailored to individual needs

The path to sustainability transcends the traditional boundaries of our operations, necessitating strong partnerships across the supply chain. This collaborative approach allows us to connect directly with farmers and suppliers, creating a bridge to our customers and, ultimately, consumers. However, the complexity of the supply chain poses its own set of challenges, requiring a unified effort and shared values in promoting sustainable practices.

At Tate & Lyle, sustainable agriculture is not just about adopting regenerative practices; it’s also about ensuring the long-term viability and profitability for farmers and suppliers. This dual focus on environmental impact and community well-being is fundamental to our approach, driving us to seek solutions that are truly sustainable.

Technological advancements play a crucial role in this endeavor. From drones aiding in cover crop seeding to sophisticated data management systems, these innovations offer new ways to enhance efficiency, reduce manual labor, and improve decision-making. However, we recognize that technology is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its adoption must be tailored to the needs and interests of individual farmers and specific crops. Embracing technology, while maintaining an open and flexible mindset, is essential in navigating the complexities of sustainable agriculture. By doing so, we not only aim to improve reporting and productivity but also to make a positive, lasting impact on the environment and farming communities.

Could you share any notable experiences or successes from recent sustainable agriculture projects you've been involved with?

One standout project for us has been our stevia program in Eastern China. Initiated in 2019 with a life cycle analysis, we aimed to deeply understand the environmental footprint of stevia farming. This project brought to light the significant role smallholder farmers, predominantly women and families, play within the larger cooperative framework and highlighted the urgent need for more sustainable practices in stevia cultivation.

Collaborating with Earthwatch Europe and leveraging expertise from Nanjing Agricultural University, we embarked on this journey amid the challenging backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation starkly contrasted with our prior experiences, such as our partnership with Truterra, the sustainability business of Land O’Lakes in the U.S., where a more extensive network and advanced technological resources were readily available.

Adjusting our pace and approach became essential, particularly in recognizing the value of building trust and providing education on sustainable practices to these smallholder farmers. This emphasis on soil health, coupled with practical guidance on soil sampling and analysis, aimed not only at improving farming practices but ensuring tangible benefits for the farmers themselves. The involvement of local experts and the continuous feedback loop through seasonal surveys have been critical to the program’s success.

Notably, a visual comparison of plots—one utilizing the recommended sustainable practices and the other farming traditionally—offered compelling evidence of the benefits, significantly influencing more farmers to join the program.

As the farmers confront the realities of climate change, including extreme weather conditions like flooding and drought, their growing concern for their livelihoods has led to an increased trust in Tate & Lyle as a partner capable of offering effective solutions. This partnership has culminated in a remarkable 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from stevia farming in 2022 vs. the 2019 baseline year, alongside significant improvements across all categories of our life cycle analysis.

This journey, marked by relationship building, educational outreach, and the careful balancing of progress with patience, has not only yielded impressive environmental benefits but also fostered a sense of pride among farmers. They now see their crop as more resilient to climate change—a testament to the program's success and a model for sustainable agriculture initiatives worldwide.

When implementing sustainable agriculture practices, what challenges have you faced, particularly those that current solutions haven't fully addressed?

The implementation of sustainable agriculture practices faces challenges, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Economic uncertainty makes farmers hesitant to adopt new practices, even with potential benefits, as they prioritize safeguarding their livelihoods. This is especially true in the U.S. with larger row crop operations, where economic instability makes experimentation risky due to potential impacts on yields and income.

Post-COVID logistical issues, like labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, further hindered the adoption of sustainable practices such as cover cropping. Additionally, data privacy and management concerns are growing. Farmers face a complex landscape of supply chain initiatives, carbon markets and USDA programs. Questions about data ownership and potential sharing create a barrier, as farmers must weigh the benefits of participation against their data privacy concerns.

These challenges, compounded by the rapidly evolving nature of the agricultural sector, highlight the need for clear, farmer-centric solutions that address both the immediate and long-term needs of those on the front lines of sustainable agriculture. As the industry moves forward, finding a balance between innovation, economic stability and data security remains a priority for ensuring the successful adoption of sustainable practices.

Reflecting on your experiences, what advice would you offer to peers and professionals in other organizations regarding engaging farmers in sustainable agriculture practices?

My advice for colleagues in sustainable agriculture is to respect the diverse needs and readiness of farmers. Not everyone will be immediately open to sustainability programs, so offer a variety of options that acknowledge their unique circumstances. Consider collaborating with independent organizations focused on farmer success—this ensures interventions align with individual farm needs, not just corporate targets.

Be patient and flexible. Meet farmers where they are in terms of current practices and openness to change. Forcing a one-size-fits-all approach can backfire. Economic uncertainty, labor issues and data privacy concerns highlight the complexity of this transition. Tailored solutions that make sustainable practices both viable and attractive to farmers are essential for long-term success.