Nestlé Expands Low-Carbon Dairy Farming Initiative to 96 Farms in South Africa
Source: The DairyNews
Nestlé South Africa is scaling up its low-carbon dairy farming initiative, expanding its regenerative agriculture practices to 96 dairy farms along the Garden Route, the company announced yesterday. This expansion builds on the success of the Skimmelkrans Dairy pilot project in George, Western Cape, which was launched in December 2020 to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
The 96 farms now participating in the initiative are supplying fresh milk to Nestlé's factory in Mossel Bay. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity as part of its commitment to sustainability, according to Takudzwa Mupfurutsa, Nestlé East and Southern Africa (ESAR) business executive for dairy.
Nestlé's ultimate goal is to inspire other dairy farms across Africa to adopt similar practices and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. "The expansion of our low-carbon pilot farm is testament to the success of regenerative agriculture in sustainable dairy farming," Mupfurutsa said. "We are making great progress towards this net zero emission by 2050."
The Skimmelkrans Dairy pilot project has demonstrated significant environmental benefits, including processing 500 tons of manure annually, recycling 14.5 million liters of water, and sequestering 6,000 tons of carbon through soil work. The project employs advanced techniques such as biological pest control, zero tillage, and solar power generation, which collectively enhance soil health and boost crop yields.
George Kuyler, chief executive at Skimmelkrans Dairy, noted the positive impact of regenerative farming practices on their operations. "The switch to regenerative agriculture has transformed our farm. Not only are we seeing better yields, but we’re also contributing to a healthier environment," Kuyler said.
Together, the Skimmelkrans Dairy, the additional 96 low-carbon dairy farms, and the Nestlé factory employ over 1,000 people, contributing to the production of this proudly South African brand.
Eustace Mashimbye, chief executive of Proudly South African, praised Nestlé for increasing local content across its value chain and creating jobs. "The entrenchment of sustainability in their processes and sourcing strategies is another criterion that Proudly South African members have to comply with – which Nestlé fully complies with," Mashimbye said.
Zinhle Tyikwe, chief executive of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, highlighted the Skimmelkrans project as a leading example of efforts to achieve waste-free and low-carbon emissions by 2050.
Nestlé's ultimate goal is to inspire other dairy farms across Africa to adopt similar practices and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. "The expansion of our low-carbon pilot farm is testament to the success of regenerative agriculture in sustainable dairy farming," Mupfurutsa said. "We are making great progress towards this net zero emission by 2050."
The Skimmelkrans Dairy pilot project has demonstrated significant environmental benefits, including processing 500 tons of manure annually, recycling 14.5 million liters of water, and sequestering 6,000 tons of carbon through soil work. The project employs advanced techniques such as biological pest control, zero tillage, and solar power generation, which collectively enhance soil health and boost crop yields.
George Kuyler, chief executive at Skimmelkrans Dairy, noted the positive impact of regenerative farming practices on their operations. "The switch to regenerative agriculture has transformed our farm. Not only are we seeing better yields, but we’re also contributing to a healthier environment," Kuyler said.
Together, the Skimmelkrans Dairy, the additional 96 low-carbon dairy farms, and the Nestlé factory employ over 1,000 people, contributing to the production of this proudly South African brand.
Eustace Mashimbye, chief executive of Proudly South African, praised Nestlé for increasing local content across its value chain and creating jobs. "The entrenchment of sustainability in their processes and sourcing strategies is another criterion that Proudly South African members have to comply with – which Nestlé fully complies with," Mashimbye said.
Zinhle Tyikwe, chief executive of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, highlighted the Skimmelkrans project as a leading example of efforts to achieve waste-free and low-carbon emissions by 2050.
