Calgary (Rural Roots Canada) – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and PepsiCo have joined forces to offer additional financial incentives to producers participating in Farm Credit Canada‘s (FCC) Sustainability Incentive Program. 

Starting this month, PepsiCo will provide financial support to eligible producers within Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba willing to grow oats or canola within their crop rotations. Those who commit to planting perennial forage on unproductive cropland will get 50 percent of the total payment producers receive from the FCC program, up to $1,000 maximum per application. The goal is to help promote biodiversity and contribute to positive environmental changes. 

In a release, PepsiCo notes it has long promoted the importance of regenerative farming practices and sees the collaboration with DUC as an important step towards a more resilient and sustainable agriculture system while extending its engagement with farming communities in Canada. 

In a statement, Paul Thoroughgood, National Manager of Sustainability at DUC, is confident producers will further benefit from this latest partnership. 

“The uptake from our producer partners who have already taken advantage of our partnership with FCC has been incredible,” says Thoroughgood. “With PepsiCo at the table, we can support even more farmers across the Prairies, recognizing them for the positive impacts they have on the landscape by providing even more incentives.”

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DUC’s Marginal Areas Program assists Canadian farmers with unproductive land due to poor drainage, soil conditions, periodic flooding, inaccessibility, or salinity. The program offers a 10-year agreement to help establish perennial vegetation, mitigating the financial burden of managing these challenging areas. Producers involved in FCC’s and DUC’s programs can receive an additional incentive payment based on a percentage of their total borrowings, up to $2,000 or $50 per acre of enrolled land.

Curtis Grainger, FCC Director of Sustainability Programs, highlights the importance of this initiative for producers. 

“Our Sustainability Incentive Program encourages sustainable farming practices while supporting nature-positive outcomes. Now, with support from PepsiCo, we can further reward producers who take steps to add to the long-term health of Canada’s agriculture and food industry.”

For more information on DUC’s environmental solutions and the new incentives offered by PepsiCo, visit ag.ducks.ca.