MUMBAI: If soil had a spokesperson, it just found the best one. Rattan Lal, the globally celebrated soil scientist and advocate of sustainable agriculture, has been appointed the global ambassador of regenagri, a leading international standard for regenerative agriculture.
The announcement was made on June 2, 2025, and signals a high-profile push to mainstream regenerative practices worldwide. Lal, a distinguished university professor of Soil Science and director of the Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration at The Ohio State University, will now amplify regenagri’s message across geographies, guiding its global expansion and standardisation efforts.
As the global ambassador, Lal will promote the ecological and economic benefits of regenerative farming—emphasising soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and community livelihoods. “Regenagri stands for innovative farming systems, which transform agroecosystems into a part of the solution to restore degraded soils, mitigate climate change, strengthen biodiversity, improve the environment and advance Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations while producing safe, healthy, accessible and nutritious food for all”, Lal said.
His appointment comes at a critical time as nations struggle with deteriorating farmland, shrinking biodiversity, and climate disruption. Regenagri, which provides standards and certification for regenerative agriculture, has found in Lal not just a figurehead but a hands-on contributor to both advocacy and technical advancement. He will also participate in the development of regenagri’s evolving standards framework.
A decorated scholar and one of the world’s most awarded soil scientists, Lal has received the World Food Prize (2020), Japan Prize (2019), Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity (2024), World Agriculture Prize (2018), M.S. Swaminathan Award (2009), and the Borlaug Award (2005). He previously served as President of both the International Union of Soil Sciences and the Soil Science Society of America.
Regenagri CEO Franco Costantini noted, “We’re thrilled to have Professor Rattan Lal join us as regenagri’s global ambassador. At a time when restoring soil health on a global scale is more pressing than ever, Prof Lal’s wealth of scientific knowledge will be key to further drive the adoption of regenerative agriculture through regenagri’s robust standards”.
With Lal at the helm of its advocacy efforts, regenagri aims to deepen its scientific credentials and broaden its impact in the global transition to sustainable, soil-first farming.