Biodiversity topics take root: A deep dive

Biodiversity in focus

Biodiversity is a cornerstone of a healthy and sustainable food system. From enriching soil fertility to fostering natural pest control mechanisms, the variety of life on the world’s farms plays a crucial role in food production. Protecting and promoting biodiversity remains a top priority for stakeholders across the agricultural supply chain, from producers to retailers and consumers.

The past year has seen significant progress in GLOBALG.A.P.’s commitment to on-farm biodiversity. The BioDiversity add-on, launched for the European market in February 2022, has experienced a surge in uptake. By the end of 2023, over 1,383 producers, cultivating more than 14,000 hectares of land across six countries, were actively engaged in the program. This increase of 1,205 producers compared to 2022 highlights the growing industry-wide recognition of the importance of biodiversity management.

The BioDiversity add-on: Empowering producers for a biodiverse future

The BioDiversity add-on serves as a science-based framework for producers to demonstrate their commitment to on-farm biodiversity management. This add-on, designed to complement the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard for fruit and vegetables, provides a comprehensive set of criteria that assess various aspects of biodiversity management.

Core topics include a biodiversity action plan, farm areas dedicated to biodiversity, and protection and restoration measures. A soil and nutrient management plan, integrated pest management, wastewater management and protection of water sources, off-farm synergies and collaboration, as well as training, knowledge sharing, and capacity building also make up the principles and criteria.

Celebrating success: A virtual discussion on biodiversity

In May 2024, we commemorated the United Nations International Day of Biological Diversity by hosting a virtual panel discussion titled “Be Part of the Plan: How can responsible and resilient farming practices promote and protect biodiversity?”. This insightful event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Global Nature Fund, Lidl International, and ZZ2 (a South African producer), to explore the role of responsible farming practices in safeguarding biodiversity. The discussion, moderated by our Senior Technical Expert Rene Capote, attracted around 100 participants eager to learn more about this critical topic.

Field trials pave the way for global expansion

The BioDiversity add-on began its journey in 2020 with the vision of a multistakeholder project team spearheaded by the German retailer Lidl. This collaborative effort involved representatives from across the supply chain, including producers, NGOs, academia, and fresh produce suppliers. Producers from various European countries like Spain, Poland, Italy, and Germany actively participated in the development and pilot testing phases, ensuring the add-on's practicality across different farm settings.

Recognizing the global importance of biodiversity, we are actively working to ensure the inclusion of this topic in our forthcoming environmental sustainability solution during the development phase. This includes field trials conducted in Costa Rica and South Africa throughout 2022 and 2023, which proved successful. A farm in Costa Rica piloted the add-on from August 2022 to August 2023, providing valuable insights into adapting the program for application in tropical regions.

Earlier this year, five farms from growers Unlimited Group and ZZ2 in South Africa also successfully participated in field trials. These trials not only confirm the add-on's adaptability, but also establish a strong foundation for future expansion into new regions around the world.

The future: A holistic approach to environmental sustainability

Biodiversity forms a key pillar of the upcoming GLOBALG.A.P. environmental sustainability solution, scheduled for launch in 2025. This comprehensive farm assurance program will address a range of pressing environmental issues, including water management, greenhouse gas emissions, and food waste.

By fostering biodiversity on farms, we not only protect the natural environment but also contribute to a more secure and sustainable food system for future generations. As we move forward, GLOBALG.A.P. remains committed to working with all stakeholders to create a future where responsible agriculture thrives in harmony with a healthy planet.

Related reading:

Fruitnet reports on GLOBALG.A.P. Biodiversity panel discussion

Lidl International celebrates the International Day of Biodiversity

BioDiversity add-on pilot with Nature’s Pride

Biodiversity practices in action at ZZ2 sites in South Africa

ZZ2 is driving a number of ecological restoration projects, focusing on the removal of invasive alien plants from sensitive landscapes to enable the natural ecosystem to return to a state of symbiosis with sustainable agricultural production. As a result, re-established biodiverse and critically endangered Woodbush Granite Grasslands have returned to a site previously overgrown by invasive trees. A ZZ2 tomato farm in Limpopo Province shows the connected landscape. Note the rotational use of fields, supporting biodiversity through monocultural avoidance.