Dutch dairy farms pilot regenerative practices
FrieslandCampina project aims to boost soil health and farmer income
22 May 2025
2 minute read
By: Thirty dairy farms across the Netherlands are taking part in a three-year pilot project initiated by FrieslandCampina, focused on regenerative agriculture, according to a recent company-issued press release. With financial support from Lidl and backing from the National Growth Fund Programme ReGeNL, FrieslandCampina’s member dairy farms are taking concrete steps towards a farming system focused on soil restoration, biodiversity, and a future-proof earning model for dairy farmers.
The aim of the pilot is to jointly develop an open-access standard for regenerative agriculture, with a strong focus on measurability of impact. The project explores how regenerative practices, such as herb-rich grasslands and grazing, can contribute to soil health, biodiversity, sustainable food production, and a robust earning model for farmers. Lidl is the first supermarket chain to take and support this initiative.
Tuncay Özgüner, President FrieslandCampina Retail & Americas, says: “An increasing number of dairy farmers want to make the transition to regenerative agriculture, but they can’t do it alone. To enable this transition, farmers need access to knowledge, guidance, and a viable income model. Strong collaboration within the supply chain, with partners like Lidl, is essential.”
Erik van den Hoogen, CCO/Director of Purchasing and Marketing at Lidl Netherlands, adds: “We want the best for our customers and for the world around us—today and in the future. That’s why we are working with our partners to build a sustainable food system that puts farmers, nature and customers at its core. By collaborating in the supply chain on solutions such as regenerative agriculture, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Wouter-Jan Schouten, Programme Director of ReGeNL, says: “Regenerative agriculture is both feasible and promising—for farmers, the climate and nature. Thanks to Lidl’s financial support, FrieslandCampina’s expertise, and the involvement of knowledge institutions connected to ReGeNL, dairy farmers can now actively start implementing regenerative practices to build a future-proof agricultural system. This is a key step towards ReGeNL’s goal: transitioning 1,000 farmers to resilient agriculture by 2031.”
Regenerative agriculture focuses on healthy soils, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the natural resilience of farmland. The project will run for three years. In the first year, tailored farm plans will be developed. In the following two years, the new practices will be implemented and both ecological and economic outcomes will be closely monitored.
