Listening to Farmers: New Approach Proposes Farmer-Centred Socio-Economic Indicators for Regenerative Agriculture
17th September 2026
New report proposing a farmer-centred socio-economic approach to measuring regenerative agriculture
SAI Platform and 60 Decibels have released a new report proposing a farmer-centred socio-economic approach to measuring regenerative agriculture, recognising that achieving environmental outcomes relies on practices being economically viable and sustained by producers over time.
Part of a two-year initiative launched in 2025 in India by SAI Platform, McCain Foods Limited, PepsiCo, 60 Decibels, and the International Potato Center (CIP), the newly developed approach seeks to address a critical question often overlooked in sustainability programmes: how are farmers themselves experiencing the transition to regenerative agriculture?
The publication marks a major milestone in the implementation of the initiative, which is supported by funding from The Rockefeller Foundation. Led by 60 Decibels in collaboration with project partners SAI Platform, McCain, and PepsiCo, the report draws on over 400 pilot consultations with smallholder farmers in India to introduce socio-economic indicators built around four key dimensions: household wellbeing, near-term viability, long-term outlook, and perceived impact. The piloted indicators examine issues such as financial resilience, profitability, access to training and finance, community perceptions, and whether farmers believe regenerative practices are improving production, income, and resilience to climate shocks.
The work reflects a broader shift in how regenerative agriculture is being measured. While environmental indicators remain vital, long-term adoption will only succeed if practices are practical, beneficial, and economically viable for the farmers implementing them. The approach aims to inform how taking account of critical aspects of farmer livelihoods will be further strengthened as part of SAI Platform’s Regenerating Together Framework, supporting companies, researchers, and agricultural programmes in designing more effective interventions, identifying barriers to adoption, and tracking progress beyond agronomic outcomes alone.
Join Us on 6 October!
To explore the findings in more detail, SAI Platform and 60 Decibels will host a webinar on 6 October, where the project partners will discuss the development and application of the newly developed approach. Register here.
Interested in reading the details?
Download the full ‘Final Project Report’ to explore the newly developed approach and the findings from its pilot application.
If you want to dive even deeper into the methodology behind the approach and explore guidance for its application, check out the ‘Technical Feasibility Report’.
