Regenerative agriculture & its increasing need

The Regenerative agriculture has been receiving much attention from all the stakeholders, as can be effective in building resilience of agroecosystems.

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

• Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to agriculture that focuses on the interconnection of farming systems such as, soil health, food quality, biodiversity improvement, water quality and air quality.
• It was used by Indigenous communities centuries ago, long before industrial agriculture occurred.

Principles Involved:

• Minimize soil distribution through conservation tillage

Conservation tillage is a tillage system that creates a suitable soil environment for growing a crop and that conserves soil, water and energy resources mainly through the reduction in the intensity of tillage, and retention of plant residues.

• Diversify crops to replenish nutrients and disrupt pest and disease life cycles
• Retain soil cover using cover crops
• Integrate livestock, which adds manure to the soil and serves as a source of carbon sinks.

Need of Regenerative agriculture

• The current intensive agriculture system has led to soil degradation and constant losses.
• There may not be enough soil to feed the world in the next 50 years.
• Soil fertility and biodiversity are also decreasing across the globe.
• Regenerative agriculture improves soil health through practices that increase soil organic matter, biota and biodiversity.
  • It also aims at enhancing water-holding capacity and carbon sequestration.
  • It facilitates soil aggregation, water infiltration, retention and nutrient cycling.
  • Regenerative agriculture also reduces erosion, provides habitat and food for diverse species and is beyond sustainability.

Benefits of Regenerative agriculture:

• Improves Yield
• Minimizes Cost of Production and Increases Farmers’ Production
• Ensures Better Health
• Employment Generation
• Eliminates the application of chemical input
• Reduces Water Consumption
• Promotes Livestock Sustainability

Is Regenerative Agriculture Profitable?

• The answer is Yes. This increase in profitability was the result of two main factors: input costs and end markets.
• Decreasing Input Costs: Regenerative agricultural systems, over time, require less external inputs, primarily in the form of seed and fertilizer.

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