Food Systems for the Future (FSF) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have launched a new White Paper emphasizing the critical need to catalyze investment in the agrifood system transition through improved measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) systems. 

About the White Paper

This White Paper addresses real-world challenges with practical solutions, exploring how we can mobilize private finance to support a just agrifood system transition that benefits farmers while meeting investors' expectations. To explore these questions, we engaged with over 75 experts and stakeholders and surveyed more than 1,000 farmers to understand their experiences and needs in adopting sustainable practices. Our findings underscore the importance of effective MMRV systems in overcoming key obstacles within carbon markets and agricultural transformation. 

MMRV systems are essential to provide the transparency, accountability, and reliability that investors require to assess the environmental impact of regenerative farming practices. 

Key Takeaways

• Multisector Financing: Mobilizing investments across the agrifood value chain is critical to achieving sustainable farming transformation. 

• Need for a Unified System: Both farmers and investors require a comprehensive measurement system to model returns and track progress effectively. 

• Quality vs. Scalability: One of the biggest barriers to sustainable farming is balancing the quality and scalability of measurement systems. 

• Unlocking Billions in Financing: Billions of dollars in potential financing remain untapped due to the current inability to measure the impact of agricultural insets and offsets. 

• Public-Private Solutions: The White Paper identifies five key public-private solutions involving policy, technology, and finance that can establish an effective measurement system for climate-smart agriculture. 

The White Paper highlights key hurdles and recommendations, including specific actions to spur catalytic change, unlock private capital, and leverage the power of public-private partnerships to drive transformative actions. 

“We hope the recommendations within this White Paper will not only guide policy, technology, and financial innovation but also inspire a movement toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all.” - Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, FSF CEO and Founder  

About the authors

Food Systems for the Future

Food Systems for the Future (FSF) is a U.S. 501 (c) (3) organization led by Ambassador Ertharin Cousin. Through deep sector expertise, a network of advisors, and institutional partnerships, we address malnutrition with an economically sustainable climate lens. FSF is dedicated to delivering food as health, creating an ecosystem that ensures equitable access to affordable, nutritious food, particularly in historically underserved communities. FSF supports our sister organization, FSF Ventures, working to catalyze, enable, and scale innovative, market driven agrifood system businesses capable of positively impacting nutrition outcomes in underserved and low income communities while delivering equitable financial returns across the value chain.

Gain insights on how USDA and FSF’s findings can drive transformative change in the agrifood system. Watch as Secretary Vilsack highlights the importance of enhanced MMRV systems in creating a sustainable future for farmers and investors alike.