Ray Gaesser talks about cover crops in a bean field on his farm Wednesday near Corning, Iowa. U.S. companies relying on farmers for the raw materials in their products must take a more active role in ensuring the crops are grown in a way that minimizes damage to water, soil and environment, a new report released Wednesday said. Gaesser, who farms 6,000 acres of corn and soybeans, said most farmers are willing to adopt new measures if they are shown to be beneficial to the land and water and do not reduce productivity.DES MOINES, Iowa – Some big food makers are getting serious about making sure farmers grow crops in ways that minimize damage to water, soil and the environment, according to a report released Wednesday that called for more companies to demand sustainable supplies.
Companies including Walmart, Coca-Cola, General Mills, and Unilever have taken steps to work with suppliers on environmental improvements, the report said, but added that measurable goals and firm deadlines are necessary to make real improvements.
The report from Ceres, a Boston-based nonprofit network of investors, companies and public interest groups, focused on climate change’s effect on corn production. It said farmers and the companies they supply must address drought and other weather extremes, an increase in groundwater depleting irrigation, and more fertilizer use.
“Climate change and pressures on water supplies pose financial risk to our agricultural industry but it’s not just the corn belt’s problem,” said Brooke Barton, co-author of the report. “Companies that depend on U.S. corn have a big role to play in sending market signals that these issues matter,” she said.
General Mills, Coca-Cola and Unilever, have all been working with Ceres and have adopted sustainability programs setting specific goals that suppliers and farmers must meet if they want to continue selling ingredients to the corporations.