Sistema.bio and Danone to Deploy 6,500 Biodigesters for Smallholder Dairy Farmers
The partnership aims to deploy 6,500 biodigesters by 2030 for smallholder dairy farmers across various geographies, starting with Mexico, Morocco and India.
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Global biodigestion technology leader Sistema.bio has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with international food giant Danone to deploy 6,500 biodigesters across smallholder dairy farms by 2030. The partnership was formalized during the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) in Morocco.
The initiative, which will initially roll out in Mexico, Morocco, and India, aims to empower smallholder farmers with biodigester technology that transforms livestock waste into renewable energy and organic fertilizer. This move is expected to significantly reduce methane emissions, lower input costs, and enhance environmental sustainability at the farm level.
“Danone is committed to supporting smallholder dairy farmers to enhance their farm resilience,” said Olivier Verdelet, Danone’s Global SVP of Agriculture & Sustainability. “Partnering with Sistema.bio to implement biodigesters is a key enabler in improving local food sovereignty, reducing environmental impact, and increasing economic return.”
Danone currently works with more than 60,000 dairy farmers globally, many of whom operate on a small scale with fewer than 20 cows. The deployment of biodigesters will not only provide on-farm access to renewable biogas but also supply organic fertilizer that can improve soil health and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
Sistema.bio CEO and Co-Founder Alexander Eaton highlighted the collaboration as a step toward regenerative agriculture. “Thanks to Danone’s vision of a supply chain powered by clean energy and circular practices, we will help thousands of farmers turn organic waste into productive resources—boosting output while accelerating the shift to clean energy,” he said.
In Morocco, the project supports Danone’s “Hlib Bladi” program, which promotes local milk sovereignty and sustainable farming. Hervé Orama Barrère, CEO of Centrale Danone-Morocco, noted, “By deploying accessible solutions like biodigesters, we are helping farmers transition toward a more circular, self-sufficient, and environmentally respectful model.”
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to decarbonizing dairy farming by delivering high-impact, locally adapted technologies that benefit both people and the planet.
