The Rainforest Alliance has unveiled a new Regenerative Agriculture Standard, aimed at certifying coffee farmers in tropical regions who adopt ecosystem-restoring practices.

The international non-profit, known for its sustainable sourcing certification, will roll out the programme early next year with a new seal that signals compliance with regenerative farming requirements.

The framework sets out a methodology for producers to measure progress across five areas: soil fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water management, and rural livelihoods. Independent audits will verify compliance before farms and companies can carry the regenerative seal. While the certification will begin with coffee, it is expected to expand to cocoa, citrus, and tea by 2026.

The initiative comes in response to mounting pressures on coffee farmers, including volatile weather, soil degradation, and market instability. With more than 70% of the world’s coffee grown by smallholders, the Rainforest Alliance expects the standard to strengthen resilience, improve incomes, and promote best practices across the sector. Research cited by the organisation indicates that regenerative farming can boost farm incomes by 20–30% while enhancing natural resource management.

For consumers, the label is designed to assure that certified products come from farms committed to soil health and sustainable livelihoods. The first certified products are anticipated on store shelves in 2026, with pilot projects already underway in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

The Rainforest Alliance currently operates in 62 countries, working with nearly 8 million farmers and 7,850 businesses. Its signature “green frog” seal appears on more than 40,000 products sourced by companies including Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton, and Nestlé. By 2030, the organisation aims to reach 100 million farmers and workers worldwide.

Through this new standard, the Rainforest Alliance hopes to accelerate the transition toward climate-smart agriculture while fostering sustainable, resilient food systems for both producers and consumers.

Source:

https://www.esgtoday.com/la-caisse-cefc-launch-165-million-sustainable-agriculture-carbon-credit-platform/

https://igrownews.com/rainforest-alliance-latest-news/