Rice production is responsible for around 12% of total global methane emissions, a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the US Environment Protection Agency.
InGrained is targeting rice farmers in the Lower Mississippi River Basin, as much of the rice grown in this area is used in Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Kellogg's Special K cereals.
Committed partner to farmers
“Kellogg has established itself as a committed partner to farmers in implementing climate-positive agricultural practices in important crops like rice,” Steve Cahillane, Kellogg Company’s chairman and CEO.
“We are proud to announce a new programme to help advance regenerative practices as part of our Better Days ESG commitments to support one million farmers and workers and reduce scope three greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain by 15%, by the end of 2030.”
The InGrained programme will work with local partners to monitor the adoption of climate-practices. It kicks off this year with a pilot in Northeast Louisiana in collaboration with agricultural GHG measurement firm Regrow, rice producers, Kellogg supplier and certified Woman Owned company (WBE) Kennedy Rice Mill and agribusiness firm Syngenta.
The pilot will provide farmers with training in irrigation management, nutrient management and soil health. According to the pilot designers, it also has the potential to reduce irrigation water, which will conserve the region’s water resources and reduce farmers’ operating costs.
Farmers will be rewarded $20 per ton of GHG abatement their new practices achieve, quantified with Regrow’s Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) platform. Regrow currently monitors around 200m acres of land across 45 countries and has to-date aided in the sequestration of more than 77,000 metric tonnes of GHG from the atmosphere.
InGrained is expected to reduce up to 51,000 tons of GHGs from the North American rice ingredient supply chain over the next five years – the equivalent of taking more than 10,000 vehicles off the road.
Feedback from participating farmers and partners will be used to shape and improve the programme's further rollout.
W.K. Kellogg’s principles
InGrained is the latest initiative under Kellogg’s Origins platform to build partnerships with farmers worldwide to support their climate, social and economic resilience.
Working with ingredient suppliers, research institutions and non-profit organisations, farmers and workers in Kellogg sourcing regions around the globe receive training and technical assistance to improve farm productivity, regenerate soil health, protect species and habitats, reduce GHG emissions and improve their livelihoods in ways that protect and respect human rights.
“Kellogg’s Origins has partnered with more than 440,000 farmers in 29 countries, helping to improve lives and communities,” added Cahillane.
“It is reflective of the principles our founder – W.K. Kellogg – an early philanthropist, conservationist and wellbeing pioneer.”
Origins falls under the breakfast cereal giant’s wider Better Days global ESG strategy to address the interconnected issues of wellbeing, food security and climate, with the ultimate aim to create better days for three billion people by the end of 2030.
