Regenerative Agriculture

GS 3 – Agriculture

Context: Regenerative agriculture offers solutions to combat soil degradation and ensure food security in India, boosting agricultural productivity while enhancing climate resilience.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is a farming approach focused on improving soil health, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable food production. It emphasizes natural inputs, minimal soil disturbance, crop diversity, and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The goal is to enhance the ecological and socio-economic aspects of food production, benefiting both the environment and farmers.

Key Techniques:

1. No-Till and Pasture Cropping: Minimizes soil disturbance, preserving soil structure and preventing erosion.
2. Organic Cropping: Uses organic methods without synthetic chemicals, though it can be labor-intensive and costly.
3. Compost Tea and Compost: Enriches soil with beneficial microorganisms to boost plant health and regenerate soil.
4. Biochar and Terra Preta: Enhances soil fertility and microbial diversity while capturing carbon.
5. Perennial Cropping: Reduces soil disturbance and conserves water through crops that don’t need replanting each year.
6. Ecological Aquaculture: Integrates aquatic ecosystems into agriculture, promoting biodiversity and sustainable food chains.

Why is Regenerative Agriculture Needed?

• Soil Restoration: Over 33% of global soil is degraded, with unsustainable farming practices contributing to soil erosion and nutrient loss.
• Food Security: Regenerative methods ensure sustainable food production, especially as available arable land decreases.
• Water Efficiency: Techniques improve soil water retention, reducing irrigation needs by up to 30%.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Regenerative practices can sequester significant amounts of CO₂, helping to combat climate change.
• Biodiversity Boost: Reduces the use of chemicals, benefiting pollinators and creating habitats for wildlife.
• Cost Reduction: Farmers can save on fertilizers and pesticides, increasing profitability.

Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture:

• Soil Fertility: Improves soil structure and water retention.
• Climate Resilience: Healthier soils store carbon and improve water retention, helping crops withstand extreme weather.
• Biodiversity: Increased crop and plant variety supports biodiversity.
• Lower Input Costs: Reduces reliance on expensive chemicals, saving farmers up to 60% on fertilizers and pesticides.
• Improved Yields: Healthier soils can lead to higher crop yields, boosting food security.
• Revitalized Economies: Regenerative farming creates jobs in sustainable agriculture, increasing farmers’ income.

Challenges in India:

• Lack of Awareness: Many farmers are unfamiliar with regenerative methods, and conventional farming remains dominant.
• High Transition Costs: Shifting to regenerative methods requires initial investments in training and resources.
• Policy Gaps: There are insufficient government incentives for regenerative farming, and subsidies often favor chemical-intensive methods.
• Research Deficits: There’s a need for more research on how regenerative practices can be adapted to India’s diverse agricultural regions.
• Market and Certification Issues: Farmers face challenges in accessing markets for organic produce and the costs of certification.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Agriculture:

• PMKSY: Focuses on water conservation and efficient irrigation.
• PKVY: Promotes organic farming and establishes organic value chains.
• Soil Health Cards: Provides soil-specific advice to reduce fertilizer use and promote sustainability.
• Fertilizer Reforms: Aims to reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer use.
• e-NAM: Expands market access for farmers, promoting fair prices and sustainability.
• PM KUSUM: Supports solar-powered pumps, reducing reliance on traditional methods and promoting clean energy.

Way Forward for Regenerative Agriculture in India:

• Align with Nature: Farming must harmonize with natural ecosystems to address undernourishment and food security.
• Reduce Chemical Use: Focus on natural inputs, crop rotation, and diversification to reduce chemical reliance.
• Integration Across India: Successful examples in states like Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh can be expanded.
• Research and Policy Support: Strong research and policies are essential for scaling regenerative farming practices across India.