Regenerative agriculture and why farmers should abandon the plough
Why are many countries including the USA, Brazil and Argentina investing billions of dollars in regenerative agriculture? Ploughing less, reducing the use of chemical fertiliser, and protecting the soil will strengthen CO2 sequestering, improve soil health and even increase the yield, says Attila Kokeny, Regenerative Agriculture Consultant at Preferred by Nature and LENs.
Is regenerative agriculture as efficient as conventional farming in terms of yield and quality?
Regenerative agriculture is producing at least the average of conventional farming output. Usually, however, it will produce even more than the average of a given crop in a specific location. This is really how we will be able to transition away from the traditional systems. To focus on high yield and good quality crops that will make the farms profitable. It has to be a win for all - for the environment, for the ecology and for the farmer.
If regenerative agriculture is healthier and even more profitable, how come not everyone is using these principles?
I have been asking myself that question for 10 years. Even when I show conventional farmers excellent examples of very profitable farms using these methods, they don’t believe it. Not even my own neighbour believes it. The reason is the same all over the world: Many farmers are just doing what they have always done. I suspect the reason is society, family, tradition and a lack of education. In Hungary where I live, for instance, 85% of farmers do not have any formal agricultural training.
What are the major benefits of regenerative agriculture for human well-being?
Regenerative agriculture contributes positively to human well-being by reversing climate change, purifying air, water and soils; building healthy cultural landscapes and natural biodiversity; promoting ponds, parks, community gardens and recreational buffer zones; enhancing contribution to social equity and environmental justice; restoring economies and generating additional income.
What is the potential for real impact?
In Hungary, it is really becoming a revolutionary movement. I haven’t seen such a scale and quality of agricultural change in the last 100 years. The farmers are getting really interested, when we present showcases in their own fields. We also work with very large farms, some of them with more than 3000 hectares of land. They are serious businesses and they are convinced that regenerative agriculture can provide them with a feasible future. So I believe that we are already creating a significant impact by working with these farmers. They are really lighthouses for change.
Who is driving this “regenerative revolution”?
The area of no till operations (eg. not ploughing) has doubled over the last ten years. Worldwide more than 205 millions hectares are under no till cultivation and ready to adapt the other principles of regenerative agriculture, such as cover crops and reduced use of fertilisers. Interestingly, this movement is being led by World’s biggest grain producers, such as the USA, Brazil and Argentina. And it is really gaining massive momentum.
Learn more about regenerative methods here.
The 6 Principles of Regenerative Agriculture
All successful regenerative agriculture efforts start with and hinge on the degree to which farm managers implement the Principles of Regenerative Agriculture. Developing a solid understanding of these principles and how best to apply them within your specific farming/ranching context is crucial.
- Context – Context includes your production and financial goals and objectives, historical production factors, ecological parameters, community dynamics and philosophical beliefs.
- Minimise Disturbance – This includes minimising disturbance of all types: tillage, synthetic, chemical, and manure applications. All forms of disturbance, including ploughing (tillage), have the potential to harm our soil biology and physical structure.
- Armour on the Soil – Principally, keep the soil covered at all times. Nothing good happens when we have bare, exposed soil. Think of bare soil as our own skin. If we have exposed skin when it is very cold, we suffer. When we have exposed skin when it is hot, we get sunburned.
- Diversity – Diversity is essential to making regenerative progress. Diversity includes diversity in plant species, soil microbial species, insects, birds and other wildlife. Monoculture and low-diversity systems significantly limit regenerative progress.
- Living Roots Year-Round – Keeping living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible supports soil microbial life and heightened activity. Living roots help build soil organic matter, enhance water infiltration and carbon sequestration.
- Livestock Integration – Virtually all land-based ecosystems in the world evolved through the influence of grazing, browsing and foraging ruminants. The very act of grazing or browsing stimulates heightened effects in soil biology and sets in motion a series of positive compounding and cascading effects.
