Regenerative farming (I): The sweet and sour of this agricultural approach.

Spanish farmers at the basis of this article

Spain is one of the European countries with the largest organic production but regenerative farming still remains a small share (EEA, 2021). This article was prepared by interviewing regenerative farmers in Catalunya, Spain, to better understand this holistic farming method. The objective is to explain and possibly guide those who are considering converting their agricultural model into a more sustainable one, envisioning circularity, long-term, environmental, and social goals. This study is directed toward all farm types, from large ones to smaller family holdings. This is the first of a series of four articles covering the topic of regenerative agriculture. In this first article, we start by setting the basis to understand regenerative farming, its terminology and certifications, and its advantages and disadvantages. Note that some of the links used rely on specific local sources (catalan or spanish).

Source: Eurostat

Conventional and regenerative farming strategy

Growing crops and raising animals is a practice which has existed for millennials and which exists in many different forms. Most of the agricultural production in Europe today arises from conventional farming practices where productivity and profit maximization were the main objectives. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to achieve maximum productivity as well as the lack of circularity in the processes are increasingly being challenged due to the pressure created by climate change. The soil, which in conventional farming is mostly considered as a mechanical substrate that is deteriorated by mechanization, is brought back to the center in regenerative farming. Soil health and in turn, consumer health, are priorities which are achieved by carefully managing the natural ecosystem without excessive external inputs. Regenerative farming relies on holistic management to obtain economical, environmental, and social benefits. Conventional farming as it exists today results from the specific social and economic background on which it developed along the 20th century.

Sustainable agriculture terminology and certifications

Regenerative agriculture, which has been at the center of our research, asks for an understanding of the soil, its characteristics, the hydrological systems, the climate, and what creates a viable ecosystem. The key question switches from “how can we produce more by hectare?” to “how can food be produced, while also improving the soil, sequestering carbon, and providing wildlife habitat?”. Regenerative agriculture is based on enhancing natural processes, prioritizing renewable energy sources such as the sun, rather than fossil fuels. Regenerative farmers often see their profession as a way of life where the soil is at the center of all decisions. Avoiding the use of phytosanitary products also ensures a healthier lifestyle for these farmers compared to their conventional colleagues. Regenerative farming is an example of holistic agriculture management where decision variables include the whole ecosystem (Berthelot, 2022).

“Organic” or “bio” are also very common wordings in the world of agriculture. These words refer to practices where no chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used, nor any genetically modified seeds, and where renewable energy sources are used as much as possible (Bacfertilizers, 2018). Organic agriculture proposes the elimination of synthetic products for organic and natural inputs instead. The aim is to improve soil fertility and the environmental health of the natural system. Organic farming is more concerned about science and chemistry, whereas regenerative farming is a holistic vision of farming, centered around ecology and biology (Innatural, 2021).

Both categories, organic and regenerative, fall under the same Ecological certification, which often is also referred to by the “organic” word. In the future, a specific certification specifically for regenerative practices could be imagined. Country-specific certification and logos exist. In Catalunya, Spain, CCPAE is the organism that provides ecological certifications to farmers (visit CCPAE.org for more information).

The sweet and sour of regenerative farming

Regenerative farming comes with a range of advantages for the natural environment, farmers, and consumers, as well as with certain challenges that are worth exploring.

Advantages:

• Improves soil quality and nutrients’ density, and reduces soil erosion: Soil is understood as a living material, not as a mechanical substrate, so agricultural practices and techniques applied (i.e. no-tilling, cover crops and rotating crops) take care of soil as a critical asset for the natural ecosystem.
• Lower GHG emissions: According to the IPCC (i.e. the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), 23% of human greenhouse emissions are due to agriculture, forestry and other types of land use. The IPCC also states that natural land processes are able to absorb a third of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels or industry. No-tilling, establishing circular practices within the farm with animals, or using cover crops the longest time possible to increase the natural photosynthesis process, are some solutions regenerative agriculture proposes (IPCC (a), 2022, IPCC (b), 2022).
• Lower dependency on external outputs: Regenerative farmers do not use chemical or organic products from the agro industry to maintain their land. Instead, natural products which are produced directly on the farm such as animal waste or techniques such as cover crops are implemented to manage and nourish the land. The direct advantage of these processes is the independence gained by farmers, who otherwise, are dependent on the market prices of maintenance products (fertilizers, insecticides etc.) sold globally (Font, 2021).
• Limits health risks for farmers and consumers: Some of the products used in conventional farming can be toxic for the farmers when applying them and for the final consumers when consuming them. DDT, the first modern insecticide, proved to be heavily toxic and was thereafter banned worldwide (EPA, 2022). Furthermore, food exposed to chemical products can be fit for consumption during a pre-determined amount of time (i.e. the security time set), but it does not instantly mean that the chemicals disappear entirely, instead, it gives an indication as to the fact that its toxicity is below the established health risks. (Font, 2021).
• Encourages biodiversity: Biodiversity is essential to life as it supports the ecosystem we rely on and is a key piece in the fight against climate change. Humans have always used biodiversity for medical purposes and, in general, trees, plants, animals, and insects are inherent to our cultures and identities. By rejecting chemical products and using outputs from the earth, regenerative farming enhances biodiversity and works in our interest (Shaw, 2015). A pro-biodiversity approach also allows farmers to think on diversifying productions, which means increasing farmers resiliency, and reducing food insecurity, providing local markets with local food, instead of importing products that could instead be produced locally. (Bagué, 2021).
• Improve water infiltration: Water is a scarce resource. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that in the coming years, reductions of up to 25% of the resource are expected throughout the Spanish country and 40% in the southeast of the peninsula by the end of the century. Improving soil allows the increase of water infiltration, which means that less water runs off, and less erosion and soil pollution are carried away in runoff water. (Eit food, 2020)

Disadvantages:

• Training availability: Regenerative farming trainings are scarce and often lead farmers to self-train through books and online resources. More affordable resources are needed to facilitate more conversions.
• Mentality change: Switching from family-held traditions of conventional farming to regenerative farming is a challenge for many farmers who are concerned by the initial period uncertainty (soil regeneration takes 3 to 4 years) and by the effort and learning needed to change.
• Specialized machinery investments: Farmers may face a challenge investing into specific machinery which comes at a high cost and is not used in conventional farming. An example is the direct sowing machine-tractor which allows the mechanization of sowing without damaging the soil.
• Increased use of organic herbicides: The different treatment given to the soil limits erosion thanks to no-tilling and cover crops which would otherwise be eliminated in conventional farming. The presence of these plants, though beneficial, might be fought over by farmers by using a greater amount of organic herbicides. These herbicides are less harmful than conventional chemicals but will still damage the environment if used excessively.
• Yields depend on crops and local conditions: The yields resulting from regenerative farming strongly depend on the crops cultivated and local conditions (Eit Food, 2020). It cannot be stated unequivocally that yields will be higher though it is clear that the lower amount of chemical inputs and higher product margins will have an impact on the farm’s profitability after a certain period of time.

References:

• Bacfertilizers (2018). “Quelle est la différence entre l’agriculture biologique et écologique ?” Available at: URL link
• Bagué, A. (2021). “Sustainability is not a new term, but where to start”, Available at: URL link
• Berthelot, A. (2022). “New Farming Methods to Sustainably Feed the Growing Population | Part 2”. Available at: URL link
• Cabaní (2019). “¿Sabes la diferencia entre orgánico, ecológico, biológico y sostenible?” Available at: URL link
• “Consell Català de la Producció Agrària Ecològica, CCPAE” webpage. Available at: URL link
• EEA, 2022. “” Available at: URL link
• Eit Food (2020). “Can regenerative agriculture replace conventional farming?” Available at: URL link
• Eurostat (2022) “ EU Organic crop area by agricultural production” Available at: URL link
• EPA (2022). “DDT — A brief history and status” Available at: URL link
• Font, F. (2021) “Arraigados en la tierra”. Editorial: Diente de Leon (Madrid)
• Innaturale, 2021. “Diferencia entre la agricultura orgánica y regenerativa” Available at: URL link
• IPCC (a), 2022 “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” Available at: URL link
• IPCC (b), 2022 “Land is a Critical Resource, IPCC report says” Available at: URL link
• Shaw (2015) “Why is biodiversity important?” Available at: URL link