Cefetra launch new sustainability payments for farmers

Grain trader and supplier Cefetra has launched a new initiative designed to financially reward farm businesses for sustainable farming practices.

Cefetra is working in partnership with agronomy firm Soil Capital to develop its sustainability programme called Cefetra Ecosystem Services.

The initiative is open to both UK and Irish growers and will be available for 2024 crops.

See also: Huge uplift in profits at Cefetra during 2022

Cefetra will provide a toolkit for growers advising them on sustainable practices, and payments will be linked to reductions in carbon emissions through a certified programme.

The company will then be able to provide each of its customers with the sustainability credentials for purchased grain, which will help them reach their own sustainability targets.

An event was held on 8 November at Cefetra’s Ormiston grain storage facility in Scotland to launch the new initiative.

Andrew Mackay, Cefetra chief executive said: “Cefetra Ecosystem Services will integrate knowledge sharing, data management and farm planning while equipping farmers to take advantage of the opportunity of sustainable agriculture.

“Cefetra believes their ecosystem services will help our supply chain to deliver positive farming solutions to help mitigate climate change.”

It also plans on announcing similar programs in other countries in due course.

The event was attended by Scottish deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for finance, Shona Robison.

Ms Robison said: “The Scottish government welcomes the launch of the Cefetra Ecosystems Services initiative to help more farmers unlock the financial benefits of sustainable practices.

“We want Scotland to become a global leader in regenerative agriculture, so that everyone working in the sector can play an important role in reducing emissions and tackling climate change.”