COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Agrotech startup, GrowGrounds, is on a mission to convert unhealthy monoculture coffee farming to biodiverse agroforestry. The Danish company now takes a giant leap towards its goal by entering a landmark agreement with 5,800 coffee farmers who will convert to sustainable agroforestry benefitting both nature, climate, coffee, and their own livelihoods.
GrowGrounds has announced a transformative partnership with three leading coffee farming cooperatives societies in Nyeri County, Kenya: Iriani Farmers Cooperative Society, Kiawamuru FCS, and Aguthi Farmers Cooperative Society. The landmark agreement marks a pivotal step in advancing both environmentally and financially sustainable farming practices, empowering farmers and contributing to global climate action.
Revolutionizing coffee farming in Kenya
“Together with 5,800 farmers, we will convert 3,500 hectares of exhausted farmland to biodiverse, carbon-sequestering agroforestry systems while planting 1.1 million trees in three years,” says co-founder at GrowGrounds and responsible for the company’s African operations, Poul David Videbaek.
The agreement lays the foundation for a large-scale venture designed to transform the entire Kenyan coffee sector. With GrowGrounds’ expertise in coffee, agroforestry and carbon sequestration, Kenyan farmers will adopt syntropic farming practices that enhance biodiversity, improve yields, and create long-term revenue opportunities. The collaboration goes beyond coffee farming, building climate resilience, restoring ecosystems, and enabling access to the global carbon market.
A future built on collaboration
“For the 5,800 farmers, this partnership represents a brighter and more sustainable future. Through comprehensive training and technical support, they will learn to implement agroforestry techniques that regenerate soil health, diversify crop yields, and increase their farms’ economic potential. With direct access to carbon credits certified under the Gold Standard, farmers will gain a new revenue stream from the global carbon market. This is a critical step toward economic empowerment,” Poul David Videbaek explains.
“This project is a testament to our mission: We grow businesses by growing nature. By combining innovative farming practices with economic incentives, we’re helping farmers and communities thrive while fighting climate change,” he adds.
The conversion of the 3,500 hectares under this partnership agreement will pave the way for scaling the initiative to 30,000 hectares in East Africa by 2029. GrowGrounds envisions expanding this model across East Africa, supporting more farmers, and creating a ripple effect of positive change for people and planet.
Facts and figures:
- Training 5,800 farmers in syntropic agroforestry practices and planting 1.1 million trees by 2027.
- Securing 80 % of revenue from carbon credit sales, distributed equitably among farmers.
- Enhancing livelihoods through diversified income sources and reduced dependency on agrochemicals.
- Sequestering significant amounts of CO2 through tree planting and soil restoration.
- Restoring ecosystem health by promoting biodiversity with a variety of tree and plant species.
- Supporting Kenya’s commitment to sustainable land use and climate mitigation strategies under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- The planting of 1.1 million trees isn’t just a number; it’s a statement of intent to combat deforestation, preserve water resources, and nurture ecosystems for future generations.
GrowGrounds’ Role and Commitment:
- Manage the overall project, ensuring compliance with the Gold Standard for carbon credits.
- Provide training and technical expertise to Kenyan cooperatives and their network of technicians.
- Facilitate the sale of Planned Emission Reductions (PERs) and Verified Emission Reductions (VERs), ensuring transparency and maximum benefit for farmers.
