Why Regenerative Agriculture is the future of farming

The world is facing a major challenge: producing enough food for a growing population. This concern appears in research papers, industry reports, policy discussions, and conversations about food security around the globe. However, what often gets overlooked is a more fundamental question: What happened to agriculture?

Over the years, agriculture has become increasingly unsustainable. At the current pace, we may not have the resources needed to ensure food security for the nearly 10 billion people expected to inhabit the planet by 2080.

In its early days, agriculture was diverse. Livestock systems were integrated, crop rotation was common, soil was seen as something alive (not just a medium) and there was a balance that made farming more sustainable. But with the Green Revolution came intensive farming practices: agrochemicals, monocultures, and the overuse of water and soil. The land was treated as if there were no tomorrow — and now we’re facing the consequences: soil degradation, pollution, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and the growing vulnerability of crops to pests and climate extremes.

From Depletion to Regeneration

We can’t go back in time, but we can move forward in a different direction — one that balances productivity with long-term health.
That’s where sustainable intensification comes in. It means producing food efficiently and responsibly, using the resources we have today: less land, less water, more variable climates and making them work better, not harder. It’s about shifting away from depletion and toward regeneration.

What Is Regenerative Agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving the health of the soil — because that’s where everything starts. A living, balanced soil supports plant health, reduces erosion, stores carbon, and increases the resilience of the entire farming system.

Some of the most impactful regenerative practices include:

• Minimal soil disturbance: avoiding deep or frequent tillage that disrupts microbial life.

• Crop rotation: especially with legumes like alfalfa, lentils, clover, or soybeans, which in association with beneficial bacteria naturally fix nitrogen and support soil fertility.

• Building soil organic matter through compost, green manure, biochar, and beneficial microorganisms that support decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure.

• Integrated crop management, combining sustainable techniques and biological products, while reducing reliance on chemicals.

Reintroducing Livestock

One of the most promising (and sometimes overlooked) strategies is to bring livestock back into cropping systems. Properly managed, animals contribute to:

• Enriching the soil with organic manure

• Controlling weeds and unwanted vegetation.

• Creating a more diverse, resilient farm economy — especially in areas affected by market fluctuations or extreme weather.

This isn’t about going fully “back to the old ways” but it’s about reconnecting biological cycles that were broken by industrial farming.

Transition takes time and support

No producer transforms their system overnight. Regenerative agriculture is a process and a journey that requires information, technical support, and confidence. Farmers need to know that it’s possible, and they need to see it work.

That’s why education is so important. And so is creating spaces where it is possible to share learnings of what works in different regions, and what challenges are still out there.

The role of agroforestry in regenerative agriculture

Agroforestry is an often-overlooked but powerful tool in regenerative agriculture. By integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems, agroforestry improves soil health, increases biodiversity, and reduces soil erosion. Trees can act as windbreaks, reduce water runoff, and provide shade for livestock.

Trees contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Agroforestry also offers additional income streams for farmers, such as timber, fruit, and nuts, further strengthening farm income diversity. 

One of the subjects I enjoyed the most during my master’s was agroforestry. I got so into it that I ended up doing my final dissertation on how shelterbelt systems affect soil health. It was really interesting to see how these tree lines influence the soil over time in terms of the microorganisms living in it and its physical and chemical properties. 

The research showed that both the microbial community and the soil’s physical and chemical properties changed in composition over time. That really made me see how powerful these systems can be for improving and restoring land.

Why now?

Regenerative agriculture doesn’t just address environmental concerns, it also responds to new market demands and shifting public policies.

Consumers are asking for cleaner, more transparent food systems. Governments, especially in Europe are implementing strategies like the European Green Deal, which includes reducing pesticide use by 2030. Large buyers and food companies are starting to demand more from their supply chains: not just yield, but responsibly grown crops. 

These demands are preparing the ground for a more responsible, resilient, and profitable agricultural future.

Final thoughts

If you're working in agriculture today  as a producer, agronomist, advisor, researcher, or policymaker you're already facing enormous challenges. But within those challenges lies an opportunity: to rebuild our systems with a new mindset. Regenerative agriculture offers a path forward and the best time is to start now!!!