In the light of declining soil health, loss of bio-diversity and climate change, regenerative agriculture is slowly becoming the new hope for sustainable food systems. This kind of farming system is more than sustainability, it is the enhancement of the ecosystem health while feeding the people. This is because, as the knowledge of the potential of regenerative practices increases, farmers across the globe, big and small, smallholder and industrial, are embracing the practices.
Regenerative agriculture is all about the health of the soil, and that is what is at the center of the approach. Reducing the amount of tillage, keeping roots of crops alive throughout the year and incorporating livestock, farmers have observed positive changes in the way soil holds water and improves on carbon content. The Rodale Institute that has been studying organic farming has stated that using regenerative organic farming methods, agriculture actually has the ability to store more carbon than it releases through emissions.
Some of the practices such as cover cropping, which is a practice in regenerative agriculture, is getting popular. The latest data from the USDA show that there was a 50% cover crop adoption increase in the last five years; the farmers benefit from better soil health, higher yield, and lower input costs. It has been established that cover crops are very useful in areas that experience droughts since they enhance the water retention capacity of the soil thus making the farms more adaptable to changes in climatic conditions.
New approaches to grazing are revolutionizing the way that livestock are handled. That is why, by copying the behavior of wild herds, farmers are recovering the grassed areas and improving the condition of the soil. The use of adaptive multi paddy grazing in the American Midwest has enhanced the yield in grass, water infiltration and the production of biodiversity. Thus, this approach also has a positive impact on animals and the quality of meat that is produced hence unlocking new markets for farmers.
Another emerging practice in regenerative agriculture is the use of trees in combination with crops and/or livestock, called agroforestry. In tropical countries cocoa farmers are investing in shade trees in order to establish better and diversified production systems. They also enhance the soil health and biological diversity in addition to offering other sources of income such as from timber and fruits. The World Agroforestry Centre points out that the application of agroforestry systems can help to reduce up to 50 billion tons of CO2 emissions within the next thirty years.
It is also worth mentioning that regenerative agriculture is gradually entering the wine market. Wineries in Napa region in California are embracing the sustainable agriculture practices like composting, cover cropping and minimum tillage to enhance the wine quality. These practices have demonstrated the effectiveness in improving the ability of the vineyards to withstand drought and wildfire which are significant problems in the area.
Big food manufacturers are beginning to sit up and take note of the possibilities of regenerative agriculture. The food giants such as General Mills has pledged to support regenerative agriculture on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030 while Danone is encouraging its dairy farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture in their supply chain. Some of these corporate activities are offering the much needed assistance and incentives for the farmers to adopt better practices.
Even the financial sector is gradually starting to understand the importance of regenerative agriculture. Sustainable investors and sustainable finance initiatives are designing new forms of financial products for the post-peak carbon transition. For instance, the Regen Network is employing the blockchain technology to develop a marketplace of ecosystem services where farmers can sell the environmental value of regenerative practices.
Hence, the pros of regenerative agriculture are evident, but there are still some issues in its implementation. The transition period may be financially costly to farmers and there is a need to estimate the net economic and environmental benefits of these practices. Also, knowledge is essential for farmers to adopt regenerative practices, which require proper education and training.
Various governments are slowly waking up to the reality that regenerative agriculture is an ideal solution to climate change as well as food scarcity. The European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy contains measures to support carbon farming and agroecology. In the United States of America, there are reports that several states have come up with laws that promote regenerative agriculture through offering incentives and technical assistance.
With the world’s population constantly increasing and climate change being an important issue, the concept of regenerative agriculture is considered to be a solution. Instead of fighting nature, farmers are feeding people and healing the land and are storing carbon in the process. The next several years will be decisive for expanding such practices and making the most of them to change the world’s food system and save the planet.
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