Defining Regenerative Agriculture – a reminder
Regenerative farming practices use the soil’s natural biological and mineral systems to grow better quality and nutritious produce without harming biodiversity, communities, and the environment.
It makes farmers less dependent on the oil and chemical-based fertilisers & pesticides used in conventional agriculture, that damage the land.
The reliance on chemical fertiliser to increase productivity has been made worse by the lack of organic matter being put back into the soil. As organic matter content in soil declines, soil structure breaks down and the soil’s ability to hold water declines – making it more susceptible to drought and erosion.
Regenerative farming practices examples include:
No-till farming
Minimising disturbance to the soil is known as no-till farming, as well as no-tillage, zero-tillage, or zero-till farming.
Ploughing or digging disrupts the fungal networks, air pockets and microbial life that make up the complex structure of soil.
Instead, organic matter, such as manure, is placed on the soil as a ‘top dressing’ – microbial activity and water seepage would help spread it to lower levels. This helps to improve water infiltration, moisture retention, and nutrient absorption.
Crop rotation
The practise of planting different crops, sequentially, in a systematic way to improve soil health and nutrients and combat disease and pest problems. The opposite of this is planting the same crop on the same piece of land, year after year – which can lead to deteriorating soil health and outbreaks of disease and pests.
Cover crops
Cover crops are plants that are planted to ‘cover’ or ‘nurse’ the soil rather than to be harvested. These non-cash crops, such as stooling rye, add nutrients, reduce soil erosion, promote moisture management, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate pest and disease outbreaks.
Circular farming & vermiculture
Circular agriculture involves the use of agricultural biomass (e.g. crop residues, animal waste) generated from a farm as inputs in future production – for instance to improve soil fertility or provide animal foodstuffs. This reduces the resources required for agriculture – reducing the sector’s ecological footprint and helps make farmers more independent.
One example is vermiculture, also known as worm composting or vermicomposting, which uses worms to convert organic waste, such as livestock manure, into nutrient-rich compost for plants.
Composting reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides, which have eroded the quality of land used for food cultivation.
A related practice is Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae farming, which can transform organic waste into a protein-rich, affordable, and cost-effective source of sustainable animal feed.
By breaking down food waste that would have gone to landfill, these helpful insects can form the cornerstone of a circular, regenerative approach to farming.
Agroecology
Agroecology is a concept that applies ecological principles to agriculture to ensure the regenerative use of natural resources. Agroecology and regenerative agriculture terminologies are often used interchangeably although agroecology often also has a wider focus on system change, land reform, and social justice. As well as prioritising soil health and nature-friendly farming practices, agroecology also seeks to empower producers and help them access new markets.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is the mixing of trees within the agricultural landscape to benefit people, wildlife, and the environment. Agroforestry differs from traditional forestry and agriculture in that it focuses on the positive interactions between farming and forestry rather than viewing them as separate.
Biodiversity can be improved by agroforestry because it can create a symbiotic relationship between animals and plants. Soils can be improved by the use of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs and through improved water retention and shade. Agroforestry can also provide fodder for livestock – supporting circular practises – we well as supporting households get access to firewood and fruits.
Other related farming practices
Another regenerative farming practice is re-greening – the restoration of barren, degraded, or deforested land to a healthy ecological state by planting vegetation.
Practical Action has had significant success with re-greening in Sudan, where we worked with 35,600 people from 19 villages to plant forests to reclaim land lost to the changing climate. As a result, underground water sources have been replenished and farmland is fertile once more.
Meanwhile, hydroponics is a technique for growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil, usually inside temperature-controlled tents. This method is ideal for regions affected by drought and desertification.
To learn more about regenerative farming practices in action, read our case studies here.
