The Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos has shared the results of its pilot phase for the Recsoil (Recarbonization of Global Agricultural Soils) project. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and ICAFE, seeks to promote sustainable soil management practices and assess their carbon capture potential.
Launched in 2023, the first stage of the project involved 20 dairy farms associated with Dos Pinos and 20 coffee farms. According to the cooperative, these efforts have shown that implementing good practices at farm level can improve both productivity and environmental sustainability.
Sofía Valverde, Communication and Community Relations Manager at Dos Pinos, stated: “At Dos Pinos we believe that sustainability starts from the root: in soil health. This experience allowed us to generate valuable technical data, strengthen local capacities and demonstrate that it is possible to produce milk more efficiently and with less environmental impact. This model drives a more competitive production, adaptable and aligned with the challenges of climate change.”
The pilot program established a technical foundation on global levels, setting benchmarks for organic carbon, fertility, productivity, and soil health. These will allow ongoing monitoring in the medium term.
Participating farms reported improvements in forage quality and availability, which directly impacts dairy production efficiency. The applied practices also help farms better cope with weather events such as heavy rains or short droughts while strengthening ties between producers and the cooperative through ongoing technical support.
Producers involved receive specialized technical assistance, recognition as part of a network of sustainable producers, and opportunities for future certifications or incentive schemes linked to carbon capture.
Valverde added: “Recsoil directly contributes to national decarbonization and climate adaptation goals, positioning Costa Rica’s dairy sector as a global reference in climate-smart solutions. Betting on soil health is betting on agriculture, on our producers’ well-being, and on rural communities’ future.”
Dos Pinos plans to expand this model soon to include more member farms based on sustainable criteria. The cooperative will also train local technicians in soil health evaluation and sustainable practices through the Global Soil Doctors Programme in partnership with the Costa Rican Soil Science Association and INTA.
The Global Soil Doctors Programme is designed as peer-to-peer training to foster sustainable soil management. It is run jointly by several organizations including Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Funde Cooperación, PNUND, Scala, YARA, as well as academic partners.
This initiative is part of Dos Pinos’s broader sustainability strategy covering environmental, social, and economic aspects. It aims to strengthen its position as a key player in transforming agriculture towards sustainability.
The cooperative believes this project also supports its environmental leadership at national and international forums. It helps improve competitiveness among consumers seeking differentiated products while giving producers practical tools for profitability and long-term sustainability.
Valverde concluded: “For Dos Pinos, joining initiatives like Recsoil is not just an environmental action; it is a strategic decision. Agricultural sustainability begins with soil health. We are committed to solutions that benefit producers, the environment, and future generations.”
Currently, Recsoil is being implemented across multiple regions including Costa Rica, Mexico, Togo, Ecuador, Kenya, Ghana, Cambodia, Armenia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bolivia, and Trinidad & Tobago.
