PepsiCo Foundation and Sustainable Agriculture: Partnering with Farmers for Change

When most people think of PepsiCo, they envision soda and snacks. But the company's impact runs much deeper. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Solves conference, Melissa Fwu, executive director at the U.S. Chamber Foundation, led a discussion with Marissa Rollens, senior manager for global social impact collaboration and engagement at the PepsiCo Foundation. Rollens shared insights into how PepsiCo is investing in farmers as partners, innovators, and the backbone of sustainable agriculture.

Elevating Farmers as Partners in Change 

At the heart of PepsiCo's approach is a fundamental belief: Farmers aren't just suppliers; they're solution-drivers. 

"We need to invest in farmers. We need to listen to farmers, and we need to elevate their voices and their concerns in the work that we're doing," Rollens said. 

This philosophy powers PepsiCo Positive, the company's end-to-end strategy focused on driving positive action for people and the planet. Through the PepsiCo Foundation, PepsiCo has impacted 185,000 livelihoods in farming communities since 2021, working with 20,000 farmers across 3.5 million acres in 2024 alone. 

Reducing Risk Through Regenerative Agriculture 

Adapting centuries-old farming practices to meet modern sustainability goals is inherently risky for farmers whose livelihoods and legacies are on the line. PepsiCo's role is to be a partner in that transition. 

"We're here to support farmers and reduce their risk so that we can scale," Rollens said, highlighting initiatives that promote regenerative agriculture for healthier soil, lower emissions, and higher yields. 

From water stress pilot programs in India, where 1,500 farmers helped treat over 80 million liters of groundwater, to the Step Up for Agriculture partnership with Unilever that will upskill 60 agronomists over five years, the PepsiCo Foundation's work addresses critical inputs like soil health and water management.

These initiatives address a critical challenge: helping farmers keep pace without jeopardizing their livelihoods. 

"Those adaptations and changes are risky for farmers, and we want to be a partner in helping them find solutions to reach the goals that we all have together," Rollens shared. 

Innovation as Empowerment 

Technology is accelerating impact at an unprecedented scale. PepsiCo champions AI-powered digital farm management tools that analyze more than 1 million data inputs from 1,000 farms, helping farmers optimize fertilizer use, irrigation, and weather adaptation. By partnering with agro-tech companies, farmers in Latin America, South Africa, and Thailand use AI and drone technology to monitor crop health and identify problems early. 

PepsiCo also recently hosted the first-ever Global Farmer Awards, bringing together 60 farmers and advisers from 19 countries to celebrate their achievements. It's an approach that recognizes farmers as the foundation of our food systems and essential partners in building a more resilient future. 

For business leaders seeking to make a difference in agriculture, Rollens offered clear guidance: