As our population grows, the need to produce more food also increases. Global challenges including climate change have caused the industry to develop new farming practices that promote sustainability. One of the main areas of concern with increasing production is the health of the world’s soil. To regenerate means to regrow, restore or renew something that has been damaged. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that 95% of our food comes from soil either directly or indirectly, and a third of the soil worldwide is already degraded. Regenerative agriculture aims to work with nature through various methods to restore degraded soil. Agriculture experts are committed to helping farmers and ranchers implement regenerative agriculture practices to promote soil health and sequester carbon.
Techniques
While regenerative agriculture does not have a list of rules to follow and the techniques may vary by location and crop type, there are some general techniques often used. These practices include less tillage, using cover crops and utilizing less synthetic fertilizers. No tillage or less tillage practices allows for the soil to be disrupted less, which reduces erosion, and using cover crops to help protect the carbon in the soil and improve biodiversity. Regenerative agriculture aims to reduce the number of synthetic fertilizers used. Implementing these techniques allows for a decrease in synthetic inputs, thus contributing to reduced pollution and potential increased profits for growers.
Benefits
As various techniques are implemented agriculture experts want growers to know exactly how regenerative agriculture is beneficial to both the grower, environment and consumer. The Soil Health Institute states the following benefits: increased microbial diversity, improved farmer livelihood, and increased agriculture productivity and climate resistance. These benefits directly impact the consumer by contributing to cleaner air and water. Noble Research Institute explains that as soil health is improved, it is better able to filter water, produce healthy plants that are able to release oxygen optimally, and needs less inputs.
Innovation
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains what soil health is and the principles to managing soil health. While these principles are essential to the conversation of regenerative agriculture,experts in agriculture technology are helping companies develop products that contribute to soil health. Biologicals are made from living organisms, and they aim to lessen the number of conventional pesticides used. Using biologicals and improving soil health and productivity are essential to the future of agriculture and the planet.
Final Thoughts
Soil health is not a conversation that will fade away in the agriculture industry. Maintaining healthy soil and restoring degraded soil is no simple task, but it is necessary for a sustainable future. Growers are implementing various regenerative agriculture techniques such as no tillage and cover crops. These practices combat climate change and improve productivity and profitability. Additionally, innovations such as biologicalsmust also be explored. Agriculture experts recognize the potential of regenerative agriculture practices and the importance of keeping the world’s soil healthy.
Article Submitted By Community Writer