By Faridat Salifu
As global attention shifts from COP30 in Brazil to the World Economic Forum in Davos, food system resilience is emerging as a central concern for governments and businesses facing intensifying climate pressures.
PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Jim Andrew, said agriculture is becoming increasingly fragile due to climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity and extreme weather, making collective action unavoidable.
He noted that the long-term resilience of the food and beverage sector depends on strengthening farming systems and supporting the communities that produce the world’s food.
Andrew said farmers are already demonstrating how regenerative agriculture can improve soil health, biodiversity, water systems and emissions outcomes while sustaining productivity.
He explained that PepsiCo’s presence at Davos 2026 is anchored on its “Farmers First” initiative, which aims to bring farmers directly into high-level discussions on food system transformation.
The company is hosting a farmer-centric breakfast and panel session designed to allow farmers to speak directly with business leaders, policymakers and financiers.
Andrew said starting with farmers is critical because they are on the frontlines of climate change and often bear the risks associated with adopting new practices.
He added that many farmers view regenerative practices as a financial and operational risk without adequate investment, technical support and enabling policies.
Farmers from South America, North America and Europe connected to PepsiCo’s supply chain are expected to share practical insights on what support is most urgently needed.
Andrew said rebuilding trust in the food system requires shifting from decisions made about farmers to decisions made with them.
He stressed that trust depends on honest dialogue, credible outcomes and measurement systems that are practical and low-burden for farmers.
He also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in blending government funding with private capital to de-risk transitions and scale sustainable farming practices.
Looking ahead, Andrew said optimism lies in the growing recognition of farmers as key partners in sustainability and innovation.
He said initiatives such as PepsiCo’s Global Farmer Awards show increasing momentum to reward leadership in resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Andrew called on Davos participants to return home with a stronger commitment to aligned policies, strategic investment and coordinated action to support farmers.
He added that climate, water, biodiversity and waste challenges in food systems are deeply interconnected and must be addressed together through science-based targets and collaboration.
Andrew said investing in farmers requires integrated support, including finance, skills, digital tools and purpose-built financial products that reward verified outcomes rather than shifting risk onto producers.
He concluded that with the right policies, partnerships and investment, farmers can help turn agriculture into a large-scale climate solution while securing food systems for the future.
