What Does Regenerative Agriculture Want
to Achieve?
Published on : 03-21-2023
Regenerative agriculture aims to restore the health of agricultural soil and agroecosystems by constructing resilient systems that are more able to survive the effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods Also, the method promotes ecological restoration and sustainable land management, which aids in the preservation of natural carbon sinks and wildlife habitat.
Regenerative agriculture, as defined by Khory Hancock, increases soil health through organic matter formation, greater biodiversity, and enhanced water retention. It provides additional environmental benefits The increased nutrient content of healthy soils increases crop output and quality They also reduce erosion and water source contamination
Instead of tilling the soil, regenerative farmers utilise mulching or cover crops to increase soil health and decrease soil erosion They may also maintain permanent vegetation, such as regenerating forests or herb leys, on their land (a traditional grassland-based farming method).
Typically, regenerative farms rotate their crops to keep the soil covered and permit more natural plant development cycles. They may also cultivate numerous varieties of cover crops
and forage plants These measures can create healthy soils that retain water and nutrients more effectively, generate additional income opportunities, and help pollinators and wildlife.
Farmers who practise regenerative agriculture employ livestock to enrich the soil with nutrients and lessen their demand for chemical fertilisers This helps the agroecosystem become more robust and resistant to stressors such as pests and droughts by reducing emissions and air pollution
To improve nutrient retention and soil health, regeneration farms commonly employ low-growing and high-fish grazing strategies. These grazing methods also promote the growth of soil microorganisms and reduce runoff The fundamental objective of regenerative agriculture is to reduce the use of synthetic agricultural pesticides, such as neonicotinoids and glyphosate, which are known to be detrimental to insect species and ecosystems
"Enterprise stacking" is a rising regenerative farming movement where farmers produce a variety of products on the same land unit, such as fruit, vegetables, fodder, and cattle. This increases the variety of products that can be produced and minimises the need for external inputs such as water, pesticides, and fuel