"Regenerative" refers to the ability to regrow, renew, or restore after a damage or loss.
Regenerative agriculture is based on this principle and includes various food production methods. Its two main objectives are to produce high-quality food and to enhance the surrounding natural ecosystem.
Regenerative agriculture is often seen as a novel approach, but it has been evolving over the past few decades as an alternative to large-scale industrial farming, which has caused significant environmental harm. Enhanced by modern scientific insights into soil health, water dynamics, and the relationships within natural ecosystems, regenerative agriculture offers tools to sustain and reverse the damage caused by conventional farming.
At its core, regenerative agriculture sees farms as integral parts of larger ecosystems. Rather than merely extracting resources, it emphasizes giving back—shifting from extractive, yield-focused methods to cyclical systems prioritizing regeneration and balance.
While there is no single definition, regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity conservation, and long-term ecosystem resilience. It avoids synthetic fertilizers, eliminates tilling, and promotes crop diversity instead of monocultures.
Healthier soils enhance their ability to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. They retain more water, reduce erosion, and absorb more carbon dioxide, leading to higher yields, nutrient-rich crops, and improved water quality on and off the farm.
A Concept Rooted in Ancient Wisdom
Regenerative agriculture is often presented as a modern solution, but its principles have been practiced by Indigenous peoples and local communities for centuries. These communities have long lived in harmony with nature, demonstrating sustainable land cultivation methods.
For example, the chakra system in the Amazon is a traditional polyculture that mimics forest ecosystems, maintaining soil health and biodiversity. In Mexico, the milpa system—intercropping maize, beans, and squash—creates symbiotic relationships where each plant supports the others. This method helps to prevent weeds and enrich the soil.
Indigenous lands hold 80% of the world's biodiversity, and Indigenous peoples' practices have protected ecosystems for generations. This effectiveness highlights the significant role of ancient wisdom in addressing modern agricultural challenges.
Why Regenerative Agriculture Matters?
The environmental challenges posed by modern agriculture are staggering. Industrial farming drives 80% of global deforestation, degrades soils, and contributes significantly to climate change.
Regenerative agriculture offers an alternative, working with nature rather than against it to protect biodiversity by fostering habitats for insects, animals, and microorganisms—all essential to maintaining ecological balance.
In the Indigenous community of Mushullakta in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where Fundación Pachaysana, the nonprofit behind Humans for Abundance, operates, the shift from monoculture practices to ancestral methods has resulted in healthier diets, greater biodiversity, and a stronger connection to the land.
A recent survey revealed that nearly 60% of community members now report good nutrition, an increase from 30% before this transition. Additionally, 75% of respondents feel a deep connection to their territory, up significantly from just 12% in 2018 when the transformation began. These results highlight the tangible benefits of adopting regenerative practices.
The Global Vision of Regenerative Agriculture
As food demand rises, agriculture has exceeded planetary limits, contributing to climate change, land-use alterations, and a reduction in biosphere health. Currently, about one-third of agricultural lands are affected by human-induced soil degradation.
Regenerative agriculture has the potential to reverse negative environmental trends. If adopted globally, it could help mitigate climate change, improve soil health, protect watersheds, and promote biodiversity.
Research indicates that regenerative practices could transform croplands into carbon sinks, sequestering up to 1.5 gigatons of CO₂ annually.
Beyond carbon sequestration, these practices enhance food security, strengthen climate resilience, and restore biodiversity, offering a comprehensive solution to some of the planet's most pressing challenges.
A Path Forward
Regenerative agriculture is more than a technique; it is a philosophy that redefines humanity’s relationship with the Earth. It calls us to embrace the lessons of Indigenous wisdom, respect natural cycles, and ensure that the soil we depend on can sustain future generations.
To fully harness the potential of regenerative agriculture, it must be practiced locally, tailored to each region's unique ecosystem and culture. By supporting Indigenous communities, prioritizing biodiversity, and restoring degraded soils, we can collectively create a future where agriculture heals rather than harms.
You can make a difference by supporting regenerative agricultural projects and advocating for policies that protect soil and biodiversity.