How is Regenerative Farming Transforming The Agricultural Sector?

Did you know that intensive farming methods negatively affect the environment? 

To produce crops to a large extent, farmers often use artificial chemicals or fertilizers. Also, the raising of livestock on a large scale produces a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Regenerative farming can be a good solution to this concerning issue. Want to know how it can restore the ecological and environmental balance while providing you with good income sources? Let’s discuss all these in this article.

What is Regenerative Farming?

It is solely an outcome-based farming system. However, the focus is on nurturing and restoring the soil health primarily. Also, this farming method protects the climatic conditions & natural resources to manage healthy biodiversity. 

There are some particular farming techniques that the regenerative farmer uses. Some of them include no-tilling, crop rotation, or cover cropping. In a word, this is an evolution of the conventional farming method that reduces the water and input waste.

Now, let’s discuss how this farming process works, the techniques used, and how it can be beneficial for you.

The History of Regenerative Farming 

The history traces back to the Indigenous cultures who implemented a lot of framing practices for ages. Initially, the term was coined by Robert Rodale in the year 1980s. He was the son of one of the pioneers of organic farming who promoted this farming technique. 

The farmers in the 1970s first began to explore some alternative farming approaches to traditional methods. In the year 2013, a non-profit organization took the initiative to publicize the term. 

Later, the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack referred to the term in his Senate confirmation hearing & the process started gaining popularity. However, PepsiCo agreed to work with the farmers to establish the concept of regenerative farming across the globe in 2021. 

5 Goals of Regenerative Farming

1. The main objective of this farming method is to provide food crops for feeding the global population. 
2. It aims to mitigate harmful climate changes.
3. The regenerative farmers want to restore the lost biodiversity.
4. Another objective is to prevent deforestation and the conversion of grasslands. 
5. The farmers can enhance their livelihoods.

5 Basic Principles of Regenerative Farming 

Protecting The Soil

The farming technique aims to minimize soil disturbances to benefit the environment and soil. To be precise, farmers often use the no-tilling method as plowing & tilling can damage the soil structure. 

It supports the network of wormholes, the labyrinth of air pockets, and fungal hyphae. Moreover, with this farming process, farmers can prevent soil erosion and promote better retention of organic matter.

Covered Soil Surface

The farmers protect the soil from the harmful effects of heavy rainfall, heat, and frost. They do this by growing crops or double cropping throughout the year as they will cover the soil.

Keep Living Roots Under Soil

Living roots under the soil feed the vital creatures & maintain the soil food chain. The roots provide food to the bacteria and fungi, & they in turn provide food to the Protozoa and anthropods. Apparently, this systematic food chain helps the soil to retain essential nutrients. 

Diverse Crops

The regenerative farmers grow two or more crops at a time and avoid monoculture. This type of crop rotation method helps in improving soil fertility.

Permanent Pasture Land

The farmers let the livestock feed on a particular farmland every two to three years. This way, the livestock can graze on the pasture and the soil gets replenished with the natural growth of grasslands and crops.

In a nutshell, regenerative agriculture considers the betterment of the environment. Also, it takes several aspects such as economic and personal benefits through generating economic sources. 

10 Popular Techniques of Regenerative Farming 

Regenerative agricultural techniques include some specific techniques for the betterment of the environment. Let’s discuss them one by one. 

Cover Cropping

Farmers grow cover crops or plants to cover the entire soil surface in between the farming of other crops. Specifically, the farmers can practice this technique once or twice a year. Farming of these types of leguminous or non-leguminous cover crops can improve soil health, control weeds, and enhance nutrient cycling. 

Rotational Grazing

This is a livestock farming system in which farmers move the grazing animals between the different parts of farmlands. Eventually, this practice can improve the soil & plant health and aid in the regrowth of the pastures. 

No-Till Farming

The method involves seeding via specialized drillers or disc planters and pasture cropping. However, it differs from other plantation processes in that it does not involve tilling or traditional plowing. The process does not disturb the soil structure & the farmers use precision farming methods for effective farming. 

Organic Cropping

Farmers use organically derived pesticides for sustainable agricultural practices. Also, they use organic fertilizers like green waste, animal manure, etc. This farming process results in reduced soil erosion minimal usage of natural farming resources, and waste recycling. Specifically, this farming practice increases biodiversity, enhanced ecosystems, and holistic farm management. 

Composting

This is a crucial aspect of regenerative farming and a traditionally practiced farming process. It can include green waste and animal manure. However, it is particularly beneficial for soil fertility due to the presence of microorganisms and nutrient content. 

Reduced Fossil-Fuel Based Inputs

Using minimal fossil-fuel inputs as pesticides can result in improved soil health. The regenerative farmers rely on the natural food chain for weed control and organic pesticides for better crop production. 

Agroforestry

This farming process combines the growth of shrubs, crops, and trees along with livestock farming. Specifically, it is an excellent farming practice that is both practical and profitable. Not only it is a sustainable practice, but also, uses land effectively. 

Conservation Buffers

These are lands with specific plants that help in managing crucial environmental issues. For this, selecting the right location, the type of vegetables you want to harvest, and the size, are important. Additionally, it results in minimal soil erosion, better growth of microorganisms, reduced sedimentation, and the protection of natural resources. 

Perennial Cropping

This farming system involves the harvesting of crops that can survive for more than two years. Farmers plant these crops once in two or more years instead of once a year. Moreover, perennial cropping not only increases soil health but also, results in better crop yield. 

Livestock Integration

This is a brilliant way to improve crop production and increase profitability. When farmers integrate livestock into the farming land, it can reduce soil erosion and improve soil health. Moreover, the animals mix their manure & urine into the soil with the hooves that fertilize the soil naturally. 

3 Benefits of Regenerative Farming 

Protects The Ecology

Regenerative agriculture improves soil health and maintains biodiversity. The producers focus on minimizing the overuse of natural resources and wastage. Also, techniques such as cover cropping, agroforestry, composting, etc. sequesters carbon particles in the soil. Moreover, this agricultural practice makes crops highly resilient to extreme weather conditions and retains water content for better crop yield. 

Economic Benefits

Less use of artificial & chemical fertilizers and pesticides & organic harvesting methods earn the farmers over 120% marginal profit. Moreover, the plantation of cover & diversified crops aids in better risk management, diversified revenue sources, and economic development of the surrounding community. 

Physical Benefits

The crops produced with this farming method are naturally healthy. That is why, the crops neither harm the environment nor the health of the global population. 

2 Challenges of Regenerative Farming

• The initial capital investment might be a bit higher and farmers might face challenges to afford the process. 
• Some farmers might not have the right information or knowledge to implement this technique. 

How Does Regenerative Farming Affect The Climate?

Due to the application of farming techniques like no-till, and cover-cropping, regenerative agriculture has numerous positive impacts on the climate. It helps in the strategic usage of natural farming resources while resulting in a well-balanced and well-maintained biodiversity. 

Moreover, regenerative agriculture reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves soil health & biodiversity, and increases carbon sequestration. As a result, it benefits not only the environment but also the soil and crop health with minimal or zero water & soil pollution. 

How Can You Start Regenerative Farming at Your Home?

Even if you are not an expert farmer, you can start your own farming business. With this, you can support the organizations that are fighting to bring regenerative agricultural techniques into practice. 

To initiate your journey, you can talk to an expert regenerative farmer or rancher for effective strategies. Also, you can create green waste at your home or use goat or cow manure as soil fertilizer. This way, you can grow your own food and help the environment. 

Frequently Asked Questions