Regenerative agriculture uses cover crops to protect the soil.
Regenerative agriculture is a type of agricultural practices that takes into account soil health . In this way, it seeks to preserve sustainability .
Also known as sustainable agriculture , regenerative agriculture uses efficient irrigation , crop rotation and composting, among other methods and techniques. Its purpose is to preserve fertility, take care of biodiversity and optimize the quality of its products.
History of regenerative agriculture
The history of regenerative agriculture begins in the 1980s . Although concern about the impact of activity on nature already existed before, at that time research on the effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on health and the soil intensified.
Thus, little by little awareness began to grow about the need to preserve the land and ecosystems. Along these lines, agricultural techniques and procedures with lower environmental impact emerged.
Various international organizations and non-profit associations have carried out important work in the field of regenerative agriculture. Rainforest Alliance , for example, was founded in 1987 and has since promoted numerous initiatives.
Agricultural cooperatives can opt for regenerative agriculture to take care of biodiversity.
Its principles
Regenerative agriculture is based on several principles. The essence is to minimize the damage that the obtaining of raw materials and the production of food causes to the environment, for which less aggressive tillage is required.
The concept of regeneration is associated with a restoration of soil quality . If agriculture is sustainable , the land can retain its fertility and not degrade, also contributing to the protection of biodiversity . Production, of course, also benefits.
Among the most important precepts of regenerative agriculture are:
- Increased fertility by using organic fertilizers and dispensing with agrochemicals.
- Reduction of soil disturbance, avoiding the use of heavy machinery and reducing or leaving aside tillage work.
- Diversification of cropping systems through rotation and also considering livestock with rotational grazing.
- Biological control of pests so as not to threaten the conservation of biodiversity.
- Responsible use of water, without waste in irrigation.
- Permanent conservation of the vegetal cover of the land, trying to ensure that the soil does not remain bare at any time.
Regenerative agriculture promotes a reduction in the carbon footprint.
Benefits of regenerative agriculture
It is possible to list various benefits of regenerative agriculture:
- It reduces erosion and contributes to soil restoration, increasing the level of nutrients.
- Helps improve water retention.
- It increases biodiversity in every sense, including a greater abundance of pollinators that promote the development of flora.
- Minimizes pollution by eliminating pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
- Fight climate change through carbon capture in the soil.
These benefits, which promote soil conservation and ecosystem restoration , result in more productivity and resilient agroforestry systems.
Related concepts
It is interesting to mention that there are numerous concepts that are related to the notion of regenerative agriculture. In many cases they are even used as synonyms, although they may have nuances and certain differences.
Regenerative agriculture is a type of sustainable agriculture since it aims to facilitate the satisfaction of human needs without affecting the ability of future generations to do the same.
Sometimes we talk about agroecology because regenerative agriculture is responsible for applying ecological processes in its practices. It is also classified as organic agriculture (does not use chemicals or synthetic products), low carbon agriculture (due to its reduced emissions) and no-till agriculture (so as not to disturb the soil).
Sometimes, regenerative agriculture is dry farming : it uses only water from rainfall. Due to its holistic conception, it is in turn associated with permacultural agriculture and biodynamic agriculture .
Regenerative agriculture and education
Environmental education is essential for the growth of regenerative agriculture. Farmers must know what advantages this agricultural modality offers for sustainable development.
It should be considered that, as collective awareness grows about the relevance of caring for the soil and natural resources in general, the entire planet will be favored. It is about satisfying the needs related to food and other issues, generating the least possible impact.
Environmentally friendly practices can be implemented in family farming and larger scale projects. But they are also valid in school gardens and in urban gardens or vertical agriculture , for example.
It should be noted that, in a broad sense, regenerative agriculture contributes to food sovereignty since it takes care of the fertility of the land, improves productivity and does not compromise future possibilities. What is needed to achieve change is a new mentality that encourages the abandonment of techniques and processes with high environmental costs and their replacement with sustainable methodologies.