Is your organization aligned with the global initiatives to restore and enhance soil health?
Soil, often overlooked yet essential, is the quiet force sustaining global agriculture. Today, it faces unprecedented pressure. Years of industrial farming and growing climate stress have pushed soil degradation to a critical point. As the world confronts the environmental boundaries of food production, soil health has become a priority for policymakers, agri-tech pioneers, and sustainability leaders. The urgency is clear. The challenge now lies in how quickly and effectively we can act.
What’s fuelling this global shift?
The recognition that soil underpins our food, climate, and ecological balance.
Frost & Sullivan’s recent webinar “Exploring Growth Opportunities in Soil Health for a Sustainable Agricultural Future” highlighted how organizations across the agri-food value chain from smallholder farmers to brand giants are recalibrating strategies to adapt to this transformation.
Presented by Brian Balmer, Growth Expert & Practice Area Leader at Frost & Sullivan and Chris Shanahan, Growth Expert and Senior Director at Frost & Sullivan, the session explored why soil health matters more than it ever did, who can influence it, and how diverse sectors are responding using technologies, policies, and innovative financing.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
- Soil health is intertwined with food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity.
Healthy soil contributes to carbon sequestration, reduces crop stress under climate change, and supports better yields. But much of the world’s agricultural land is degraded creating a critical need for scalable, science-driven solutions.
- Consumer awareness and brand action are rising.
Mentions of soil health in sustainability reports from major food brand owners rose by nearly 50% in two years. Companies like General Mills and Conagra are committing to improve soil on thousands of acres. Meanwhile, premium UK retailers like Waitrose are marketing products tied to regenerative farming, signalling a shift in consumer narratives.
- Companion planting and crop rotation are regaining traction.
Long-standing practices like crop rotation and companion planting (e.g., legumes, tree integration) are now being validated with new data science and sustainability insights. Instances from Peru and Mexico show how diverse planting can improve soil quality, yields, and income for smallholder farmers.
- Organic and inorganic soil enhancements offer twin tracks of innovation.
Biochar, digestate from anaerobic digestion, and polymeric or mineral soil conditioners are being explored to restore carbon content and improve soil structure. Whether bought or made on-site, these inputs represent growth sectors across both developed and emerging markets.
- Biological solutions are reshaping crop protection and nutrition.
Biological solutions including biostimulants and microbials are becoming essential as agrochemical giants pivot toward sustainable offerings. The biological solutions market is witnessing growing investment, especially from companies seeking to future-proof portfolios against tightening pesticide regulations.
- Finance and technology are becoming critical enablers.
Beyond physical solutions, soil health transformation requires investment and digital support. Financial institutions, private equity, and sustainability-focused banks are stepping in, alongside agri-tech companies providing data-driven tools to help farmers track and improve soil performance.
Want to position your organization at the forefront of soil health innovation?
Watch the full webinar here
Write to us at hello@frost.com to explore strategic insights and collaborative opportunities in the soil health transformation.
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