Syngenta’s REVERTE Program wins global acclaim for pioneering restoration of degraded farmlands

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BASEL (SWITZERLAND), NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Syngenta’s REVERTE program has been honoured by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as a best-in-class initiative for transforming global agriculture and food systems, marking a major milestone in the effort to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable farming.

Designed to revive pasturelands and reduce pressure on native vegetation, REVERTE offers farmers a comprehensive, long-term framework that combines agronomic expertise, access to finance and strict compliance with environmental standards. The programme is already delivering measurable impact across Brazil, where 280,000 hectares—an expanse larger than New York City and London combined—are under restoration across 11 states and three major biomes. According to Syngenta, 92% of monitored farms have recorded yield improvements in their second year, with an average gain of 9%.

Petra Laux, Chief Sustainability Officer at Syngenta Group, said the recognition validates the programme’s mission and momentum. “REVERTE is one of the world’s most ambitious programs to restore degraded land for agriculture. Its success in Brazil is proof that strong ideals, great partners, and hard work can come together to address difficult challenges in agriculture and global food systems.” Syngenta aims to scale the initiative significantly, targeting the recovery of 1 million hectares of degraded land in Brazil by 2030.

At the core of REVERTE lies a robust push for regenerative agricultural practices that rebuild soil health, boost carbon sequestration and improve farm productivity. The program supports farmers in adopting methods such as crop rotation, cover cropping and no-till farming, backed by agronomic guidance, innovative technologies and financial tools that make the shift both feasible and profitable.

Launched in 2019 through a collaboration between Syngenta and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the program initially focused on Brazil’s Cerrado biome — a vast subtropical region rich in biodiversity but burdened with 18 million hectares of degraded land. In 2021, Itaú BBA introduced a dedicated credit line for farmers participating in the programme and adhering to its socio-environmental criteria.

With rising interest from growers beyond Brazil, Syngenta has begun exploring opportunities for regional expansion. Earlier this year, the company initiated a pilot in Paraguay to help farmers in the Chaco and Eastern regions adopt regenerative practices, marking the beginning of REVERTE’s international footprint and its broader role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.