By Jamie Martin
Regenerative agriculture, once considered a niche practice, is now becoming a major focus globally. With rising climate concerns and unstable food supplies, this farming method is being embraced by both small farmers and major companies.
A recent study by the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA) analyzed 78 farms across 14 countries. It found that regenerative farms matched conventional ones in food output, while using 62% less synthetic nitrogen and 76% less pesticides. From 2020 to 2023, yields were only 1% lower, but the overall land productivity improved by 27%.
Techniques like cover cropping, reduced tillage, enhanced fertilization, water efficiency, and integrated pest management are core to regenerative farming. These practices improve soil health, reduce chemical use, and lower long-term costs.
Anastasia Volkova of Regrow Ag explained - “Tillage is losing the top soil, with its water storage. Instead, you’re stacking your nutrients, leaving a living root system.” Regrow Ag works with companies like Cargill and Oatly to support sustainable farming.
Many companies are also pushing for change. Farmers report that food retailers and suppliers increasingly demand low-carbon, sustainable products. Meanwhile, climate change is pushing yields down—EU projections show wheat yields in Southern Europe may fall by 49%.
“Increased pressure from markets and rising climate risks are changing how farms operate,” said Bianca Dendena, a senior project manager at PUR. “From the farmers’ perspective, what they can expect is higher resilience for what will come.”
Though adoption barriers like cost and risk remain, innovative solutions like using insects to produce natural fertilizers and new certification systems in the U.S., EU, and Australia are helping.
Regenerative agriculture is seen as the future, blending ancient wisdom and new science, delivering healthy food, and protecting the environment.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National