Unsustainable farming practices can be found around the world. Due to globalization and modernization, farming techniques and technologies for agriculture often degrade the soil and quality of crops. This can impact less successful yields for farmers, make farms less resilient to changing climates, and decrease overall nutrition in crops and in animals. A solution to combat this challenge is regenerative farming. Regenerative farming incorporates indigenous knowledge that creates a more localized solution for farmers since regions differ around the world and also creates more sustainable and resilient agricultural lands.
The challenge of unsustainable farming practices impacts the environment, animals, and humans. Unsustainable farming practices often lead to reduced soil quality. According to Regeneration International, “without protecting and regenerating the soil on our 4 billion acres of cultivated farmland, 8 billion acres of pastureland, and 10 billion acres of forest land, it will be impossible to feed the world, keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, or halt the loss of biodiversity” (Regeneration International). If soil is not protected, the essential minerals that provide the nutrition in our food declines therefore declining the food quality for humans. When soil is not degraded, less CO2 emissions from degraded soil reach the atmosphere. That is why sustainable farming practices are important not only to protect how our food is grown now but also for future generations. This also affects livestock. Unsustainable farming practices usually use toxic fertilizers that can affect the health of what animals are consuming. That is why using compost and no toxic chemicals are important in order to sustain grasslands livestock relies on. As Regeneration International states, “how our food gets produced and how it ends up on our tables accounts for around half of all human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. Chemical fertilizers, heavy machinery and other petroleum-dependent farm technologies contribute significantly” (Regeneration International). The new modernized norms of how agriculture is cultivated is actually hurting the very thing they are trying to help.
The solution to unsustainable farming is regenerative farming. Regenerative farming is an agricultural technique that’s purpose is to reverse the degradation in soil. The practices of regenerative farming consist of adaptive grazing, no-till planting, no or limited use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizer. This would be an organizational change where communities or agricultural workers have to adopt this method. This practice helps farmers cut costs while also creating healthier soil and livestock (Noble Research Institute). Another important characteristic of regenerative farming is the use of Indigenous knowledge. The idea is to work with the land rather than against which contributes to overall more sustainability. Modern agricultural technologies for farming are not one size fits all. For developing economies, rather than using modern technologies regenerative farming practices that are based on Indigenous knowledge of the land helps create sustainable and efficient farming. According to researcher Upreti, Indigenous farming practices have positive benefits such as, less dependent on external inputs, maximum utilization of local resources development, use and dissemination of local technologies, coping strategies, and adjustment to adverse conditions, resources recycling, and are based on local institutions.
The current industrial agricultural system in the US incentivizes practices which threaten biodiversity, promote soil erosion, and contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions (Noble Research Institute). In regenerative agriculture, these impacts are mitigated by management centered on working within ecological principles instead of against them. There are several actors who, if they work to do so, have the ability to help ensure a future of more sustainable farming. Firstly, policymakers are needed in order to provide more financial and technical resources to small and mid-sized farms which engage in a more holistic approach to agriculture; particularly those who have been denied access to land tenure, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous farmers and ranchers (NRDC). This requires addressing the issue of equitable access to land at higher governance levels, where policies can be adopted which advance regenerative agriculture without exacerbating existing inequities related to land ownership. Although present US farm policy does not prioritize regenerative practices, some states have begun to encourage farmers to adopt practices which lower greenhouse gas emissions through various incentive programs, such as offering discounts on crop insurance (NRDC). Next, regenerative farming cannot occur without ranchers who are willing to adopt regenerative farming practices. This can be helped along by policies that incentivize shifts to sustainable practices as well as providing technical assistance to farmers transitioning to new farming practices. Finally, individuals can also take action by talking to policymakers and representatives about regenerative farming, connecting with local farmers through farmers’ markets or farm visits, and taking the time to learn how their food is sourced and how they can consume more sustainably (NRDC).
The benefits of supporting regenerative agriculture are many, and address several issues standard in industrial operations. By adopting practices which lead to more carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases, and make farmland communities more resilient, farming can play a significant role in streamlining long-term, natural climate solutions (NRDC). Practices like no-till farming, cover cropping, and rotational grazing of livestock can all improve biodiversity, soil health and fertility, and water retention. Additionally, ranchers of regenerative farms see cost savings from not purchasing antibiotics, chemical fertilizers, or pesticides, as well as a more diversified revenue stream. Their farms also promote healthier food choices and rural economic development through local employment (Noble Research Institute). Regenerative farmers and ranchers also benefit their communities by building more meaningful relationships between consumers and their food and creating invaluable networks wherein farmers can learn from each other.
The global market for regenerative agriculture is growing steadily, and projected to continue doing so, for their many benefits, such as improved land quality and climate change resilience. However, some barriers to adopting the practice in favor of commercial farming prevent regenerative agriculture from becoming the new standard for food production any time soon. The main challenge involves the transition from conventional farming to regenerative farming itself. Acquiring the equipment, knowledge, and skills necessary to run a regenerative operation is a difficult, lengthy process. Such a change requires significant adjustments to management practices and infrastructure that may make some farmers reluctant to partake (Russu). Further, establishing a regenerative operation is time-consuming, and takes longer to yield results than a commercial operation. Another aspect of regenerative farming that may inspire hesitancy in established farmers is the uncertainty of profitability. Farmers may experience fluctuations in crop yields as their ecosystem processes become more balanced, potentially introducing a period of income instability during the transition process (Russu). Although interest in the practice is steadily increasing, a lack of long-term research which allows for total understanding of the benefits, limitations, and scalability of regenerative agriculture prevents it from being as widespread as it could be. However, with adequate support from policymakers, farmers, and individual community members who are invested in the future of sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture shows great potential for mitigating many of the most pressing concerns currently associated with unsustainable, industrial-scale food production.
Sources
“Regenerative Agriculture.” Noble Research Institute, https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/.
“Regenerative Agriculture 101.” The Natural Resources Defense Council, 29 Nov. 2021, www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101.
Russu, Catalina. “Challenges and Opportunities of Regenerative Agriculture: Experts’ Opinions.” DevelopmentAid, 5 Aug. 2024, www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/183168/challenges-and-opportunities-of-regenerative-agriculture.
Upreti, Yamuna Ghale, and Bishnu Raj Upreti. “Indigenous Knowledge, Agricultural Practices and Food Security in Developing Countries: Opportunities and Challenges.” Academia.edu, https://www.academia.edu/1243525/Indigenous_knowledge_agricultural_practices_and_food_security.
“Why Regenerative Agriculture?” Regeneration International, https://regenerationinternational.org/why-regenerative-agriculture/.