AGRI3 Fund and Rabobank Announce Expansion of the Renova Pasto Program
The new phase of this initiative broadens access to sustainable credit for soy and other annual crops, while accelerating the restoration of degraded areas in the Cerrado and the Amazon regions.
São Paulo, 18 March, 2026 – Rabobank and the AGRI3 Fund are pleased to announce the expansion of their partnership through the launch of Renova Pasto 2.0, an extension of the program that integrates long-term financing and specialised technical assistance to support the recovery of degraded land, and the conservation of strategic ecosystems in the Cerrado and the Amazon. Since its inception in 2023, the initiative has already delivered productivity and sustainability benefits to livestock farmers and is now extending its model to include soy and other annual crops.
In this new phase, Renova Pasto 2.0 aims to enhance the utilisation of currently degraded areas and promote agricultural practices that may improve both the efficiency and resilience of production systems, based on the technical assessment of each property. The program provides amortisable financing with terms of up to ten years, a maximum value of up to US$ 5 million per transaction, and a grace period of three years, thereby supporting the development of a more productive agricultural sector in the country. Furthermore, the initiative offers co-financed technical assistance for establishing, continuously improving, and monitoring productive and socio-environmental performance indicators, such as yield per hectare, preserved forest area, and improvements in rural living conditions.
The socio-environmental evaluation and monitoring, alongside the formulation of improvement plans for participating producers seeking to restore degraded areas for more sustainable pastures and crop fields, are carried out by the Brazilian consultancy Produzindo Certo.
According to Ricardo Silva, Head of Rural Banking for Rabobank in Brazil and South America, the initiative addresses the growing global demand for food by increasing productivity in already converted areas and encourages more resilient agricultural systems. “This new phase of our partnership with AGRI3 provides a tangible solution to support producers in adopting more efficient and sustainable models through the restoration of degraded areas and the integration of different crops,” stated the executive.
Casper Havinga, Investment Director at the AGRI3 Fund, states, “Access to long-term financing is a critical enabler for producers to transition toward more sustainable and productive land use. Financing for pasture restoration supports improvements in productivity and resilience, reinforces farm sustainability, and assists in decoupling agricultural expansion from deforestation. We are pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with our partner Rabobank Brazil, as this form of blended and catalytic financing plays a vital role in scaling up solutions for sustainable agriculture.”
For Rabobank clients, Renova Pasto has already demonstrated how tailored financial solutions can unlock sustainable productivity gains in the field. “We faced degraded pastures and limited financing options, with short terms and little grace period. Rabobank introduced us to Renova Pasto, providing improved conditions and an environmental focus aligned with our values. Following the financial analysis, the project proved to be feasible even with low cattle prices. Today, we observe enhanced pastures and livestock with increased value,” states Wilton Roberto Guimarães, from Niquelândia-GO.
“Upon joining Renova Pasto, my objective was to restore and intensify degraded pastures. The extended repayment period and the three-year grace period made the project viable, and Rabobank managed the process efficiently. We anticipate that results will also emerge swiftly, enabling us to enhance the productivity of the area through pasture renewal. Furthermore, as the financing offers a long repayment term, it will be possible to implement crop rotation, such as planting soybeans for a designated period, which will further increase the efficiency of our land, including livestock,” affirms Geraldo Antonio Delai, from Canarana-MT.
Renova Pasto 2.0 distinguishes itself from the initial phase by expanding its scope beyond livestock, now also encompassing annual crops. The new version of the program adopts conservation indicators and includes commitments to forest preservation, referencing the baseline of native vegetation, as well as providing for independent technical monitoring, thereby strengthening the governance and credibility of the initiative.
Renova Pasto 2.0 is available to Rabobank clients who meet the program requirements. Final contracting conditions are subject to the technical analyses stipulated within the initiative. The testimonials presented reflect the specific experiences of participating clients and do not constitute a promise or guarantee of future outcomes.
About Rabobank
Rabobank is an international financial institution specialising in tailored solutions for agribusiness, with comprehensive expertise spanning the entire food supply chain, from the field to the consumer’s table. Through its dedicated research division, RaboResearch, the bank produces content focused on trends and forecasts within the agribusiness sector, both in Brazil and globally.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Rabobank operates in more than 35 countries. In Brazil, the bank has maintained a presence for over 35 years, with 17 branches in major agricultural centers, offering financial services such as credit consulting, risk management, and investment solutions for rural producers and large agribusiness enterprises.
For further information, please visit: www.rabobank.com.br Press Office – SMARTPR | rabobank@wearesmart.com.br
About the AGRI3 Fund
The AGRI3 Fund was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Rabobank, in collaboration with IDH and FMO (the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank), to support the transition toward sustainable agriculture sustainable. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands is a donor to the AGRI3 Fund, while the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through Conservation International, is a senior participant in the Fund. FOUNT and Cardano Development act as investment advisors. The AGRI3 Fund aims to mobilise substantial public and private capital by offering risk mitigation instruments and technical assistance for projects that prevent deforestation, encourage reforestation, advance sustainable agriculture and efficient supply chains, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance living conditions in rural areas.
For further information, please contact: Maria-Pia Kelly (m.kelly@agri3.com)