Regenerative agriculture: what it is, principles, examples and advantages

Regenerative agriculture is an agricultural practice, but it is also a philosophy, a tool for sustainable production and a commitment to improving our future. Let’s go in parts.

• It is an organic agricultural practice because it aims to improve the traditional form of agriculture in which soils are constantly worn out and exhausted. This proposal attempts to regenerate and build healthy soils.
• It is a philosophy, because it includes an ideology that has been formed from various thinkers who promote respect for our environment, for the soil that provides us with food, and for agricultural producers who deserve to learn new environmentally friendly production techniques.
• It is a tool for sustainable production, since it cannot be generated with old production tools that did not take into account the recovery of the soil, nor its nutritional renewal.
• It is a commitment, because the producers who are generating sustainable crops participate in an exchange of responsibilities with the new generations.

The principles of regenerative agriculture are four:

1. Regenerate the soil: practices are adopted that increase soil fertility, prevent soil erosion, and focus on local crops.
2. Regenerate ecosystems and biodiversity: the pollution generated by the use of synthetic biochemicals is reduced, which also harms the environment. The rational use of water, agroforestry and silvopastoral resources is also taken care of. The silvopastoral system is a combination that agricultural workers make of various trees, livestock and forage plants, on the same surface, always taking care of economic, social and environmental stability.
3. Regenerate the relationship between living beings: the way in which man relates to living beings and the nature that surrounds him is reconsidered, paying attention above all to the dignity of those involved, the protection of their rights, and productive practices that are ethical and transparent.
4. Regenerate knowledge: promotes the right of agricultural workers to have new knowledge, more oriented to the common good, respect for natural resources, and labor efficiency based on sustainable practices.

Among the techniques we can point out:

• Crop rotation: by always planting the same product, the soil wears out and loses its nutritional properties. By changing the crop between sowing and sowing with plants that enrich the soil, the balance is restored. Here you will find more information about What is crop rotation: types and benefits.
• Reduced soil work: chemical agents limit fertility. Deep plowing, excessive use of agrochemicals, heavy machinery and the removal of wild plants should be avoided.
• Plant cover: the soil should never be left without plants, which is why it is important to use green manure and respect the growth of wild plants on the land to be cultivated.
• Waste reduction: the circular economy allows there to be no waste in the indiscriminate use of water. Also in the use of natural fertilizer that comes from the waste of livestock production, as well as in the use of surplus production for livestock feed.
• Regenerative Grazing: Farmers can improve the health of an organic soil by strategically grazing their livestock.
• Farmer cooperatives: allow producers to exchange their products or buy and sell at fair prices.
• Financing: ties are created with national and local governments, in order to provide support to producers who are changing their regular practices to regenerative ones.
• Education: information forums are created so that producers know the advantages of practicing healthy agriculture for the environment.

Here are some examples of what we can do to start practicing regenerative agriculture:

• Use of mobile pens to organize rabbits and chickens.
• Use of microorganisms for the production of microfertilizers.
• Intensive cow grazing, with programming, agenda and rotation of venues.
• Using wood from chipped branches instead of traditional humus.
• Use of biochar, which allows the soil to retain microorganisms, water and nutrients in general.

Regenerative agriculture has several advantages:

• It is sustainable.
• It is environmentally friendly.
• It is ethical in the treatment of animals and the environment.
• It is educational by integrating producers in new knowledge.
• Reduces physical, chemical and biological damage to the soil.
• Promotes the production of local crops.
• Protects microorganisms that live in the earth.
• They do not use farming instruments that alter the biodiversity of the soil.
• Improves soil structure.
• Increases water infiltration.
• Reduces erosion.
• Reduces water evaporation.
• Promotes the biological activity of the soil.
• It is not polluting.
• Consumes less energy than conventional agriculture.
• Produces savings by not consuming chemical products.

Now that you know what regenerative agriculture is and what its techniques are, you may be interested in reading this post about the Agricultural Sector: what it is, activities and importance.

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