The transition toward more sustainable production models is no longer a distant goal—it is beginning to take shape on the ground. How the voluntary carbon market works, along with the emerging biodiversity credit system, served as the starting point for the discussion led by Jimena Calvo, Director of Insight LAC, as part of the Crecer Cooperando Program. The initiative promotes regenerative agriculture practices and is driven by the Banco Credicoop Foundation and IDB Lab, with technical support from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA). The discussion also highlighted the opportunity to certify good agricultural practices in order to access more markets and obtain better prices.
The first workshop dedicated to understanding the current state of voluntary carbon markets and the real options available for producers to participate was held at the General Roca branch of Banco Credicoop Coop. Ltdo. Calvo provided a detailed explanation of how the voluntary carbon market operates—a rapidly growing field that still presents significant barriers for small and medium-sized producers. She discussed requirements, costs, certifications, regulatory frameworks, and, above all, the need to build scale and collective solutions to make these mechanisms viable in the region.
“Today, the market shows an insufficient level of maturity and high entry costs. Cooperation among producers and intermediate strategies will be essential to avoid being left behind,” Calvo emphasized. Her analysis conveyed a strong message: regenerative agriculture represents an opportunity, but it requires policies, financing, and partnerships capable of addressing its technical complexity.
The event also provided an opportunity to review the progress of Crecer Cooperando, which is now in its second year of implementation in Misiones, Mendoza, and the Upper Valley of Río Negro. Gustavo G. Marino presented the results of fieldwork, while INTA specialists shared the process of awareness-building, technical assistance, and soil analysis that makes it possible to measure carbon sequestration and plan productive improvements.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of Banco Credicoop’s financing line for Regenerative Agriculture, designed specifically as part of this program, along with other financial instruments available to the sector, such as the AgroCABAL Card.
Representatives from INTA, the National University of Comahue, agricultural cooperatives, and producers from the region also participated in the event. Beyond the data and presentations, the most valuable aspect was the exchange of real-world experiences, shared concerns, and a common interest in understanding how to produce more efficiently and with a lower environmental impact.
Crecer Cooperando continues to demonstrate that soil regeneration and carbon footprint reduction are achievable goals when knowledge, financing, and collective action are brought together. And, as Calvo reminded participants, these are paths that require strategic decisions today in order to avoid missing opportunities tomorrow.
For more information: https://www.fundacioncredicoop.com.ar/crecer-cooperando