What is Regenerative Agriculture?
You may have heard about regenerative agriculture recently. The “regen” movement is gathering pace and with good reason. We can eat our way out of climate change by adopting it. But the term is broad, and as with many environmental phrases, it needs some definition to understand its impact. So, what is regen, and how can it have a positive impact on our environment?
We can eat our way out of climate change
What does it mean?
The term “regenerative agriculture'' is not new. It was first attributed to the organic farmer and soil health advocate Robert Rodale in the 1980s. Rodale argued that organic agriculture should not just avoid the use of chemicals but rather actively restore and regenerate the soil.
Since the term was coined the definition of “regen” has changed a lot as new methods and technologies have developed. To confuse things further, it’s often used interchangeably with terms such as agroecology and conservation agriculture.
One recent study analysed over 230 uses of regenerative agriculture, finding there are broadly two approaches; process led and outcome-based(1). Outcome focussed regen concentrates on the consequences of soil regeneration. These include carbon sequestration, increases in biodiversity and improvements in water quality. In contrast, process-led definitions focus on the five broad practices that regenerate soil health. These are: having no bare soil, minimising soil disturbance, increasing plant/crop diversity, eliminating or reducing chemical usage and integrating livestock.
The reality is that regenerative agriculture isn’t a group of standard practices. Each farm is a unique ecosystem and needs to approach regen at a field-specific level. What matters most is that farms can rejuvenate soil health and work with nature to restore the farm's ecosystem.
The challenge for farmers is that the current food system is working against them. Prioritising yield and efficiency to boost the food supply chain has put pressure on the soil. Agriculture now accounts for 37% of global CO2e emissions annually(2).
And that is why regenerative agriculture matters. As our understanding of soil has grown, scientists have taken a greater interest in the role it can play in combating climate change(3)(4). It has the power to support the food supply chain, and the planet, at the same time.
What happens in the soil?
Soil is incredible. It does so much more than it gets credit for. It's a fundamental part of the carbon cycle, helping to store carbon and move it through the food chain to sustain life. Understanding more about the power of soil and its carbon-storing power has been a driving force behind the regen movement.
Most research focuses on the soil's ability to sequester carbon, which naturally occurs when plants photosynthesise. During photosynthesis, plants metabolise carbon dioxide to create sugars. These sugars then feed nearby microorganisms in the soil, such as fungi and bacteria. It’s these microorganisms that convert the sugars into stable forms, trapping carbon in the soil.
To do this effectively, the soil needs to be left to do its job. Heavy land use that disturbs the soil releases stored carbon, and contributes to climate change. Creating an environment where soil microbes can help store carbon in the soil is vital to combating climate change. This can be done by implementing regenerative practices such as seeding diverse cover crops between cash crops and reducing tillage. Some scientists suggest restoring degraded agricultural land can offset 20% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions(5).
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Is it just a soil thing?
Regen isn’t just about carbon. It has several other benefits beyond carbon sequestration. Regenerative farming also improves biodiversity, water usage and monoculture restoration, in turn helping to create more resilient and profitable farm businesses.
By implementing regen, a farm can create a circular farming system that is less dependent on off-farm inputs.
Reducing dependence on off-farm inputs has become less of a want and more of a need. Farmers now face record-high costs with fertiliser increasing between 70% and 140% in early 2022(6). These levels are unsustainable and profit margins are under pressure.
But Improved soil health offers a solution. Beyond sequestration, regen soils also aid in nutrient cycling. Microbes metabolise soil minerals into available nutrients that aid plant growth. Farmers combining regen practices like continuous living root, minimal soil disturbances and extended rotations have reported halving fertiliser applications(7).
Reducing exposure to external price volatilities has helped regen farmers in the Ecdysis Foundation’s study increase profitability by up to 78%, despite a 29% decrease in yields. The challenge of reduced yield is a key focus for the broader adoption of regen to ensure food security. By tackling food waste, improving food nutrition and refining regen practices, this can be mitigated long term.
Is the food different?
Farm profitability is really important. Ensuring growers get paid fairly for quality produce is what we believe in. Part of the solution must be reconnecting growers and consumers so they can understand the benefits of quality grown food.
New research shows that the way we produce food affects its nutrient content and health benefits. Regen produce has been found to have an average of 34% more vitamin K, 15% more vitamin E, 14% more vitamin B1, and 17% more vitamin B2 than conventionally grown crops. Regen food is better for personal long-term health and the environment.
In the future, our food supply system will look very different than it does today. The food we grow, sell and eat needs to be better for the planet, and for us. Regenerative agriculture offers a way for us to make the food we need while restoring the planet.
We'll be exploring regenerative agriculture in more detail over the next few weeks. If you'd like to learn more click here .
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