Regenerative Agriculture for a Sustainable Future

Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges in Mexico and the world. Soil degradation, caused by climate variations and human activities, is one of the most urgent problems. According to the European Commission's World Atlas of Desertification, more than 75% of the Earth's land surface is already degraded, and more than 90% could be degraded by 2050. This deterioration threatens not only agricultural production, but also the global food supply, since 95% depends on soil functioning. Soil is home to 25% of the planet's biodiversity and is crucial in biogeochemical cycles, such as carbon and nitrogen.

In Mexico, the situation is no different. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), 64% of the country's soil shows some level of degradation, and 28% of production units face loss of soil fertility. Uncontrolled agriculture has exacerbated these problems, creating a vicious cycle where agricultural intensification not only damages the environment, but also exposes farmers to erratic weather conditions that put their incomes and livelihoods at risk.

Produce More, Restore and Conserve

In this context, regenerative agriculture emerges as a promising alternative to radically transform current agricultural systems. Unlike conventional methods that often deplete natural resources, this practice seeks not only to increase agricultural production and water use efficiency, but also to restore the health of the soil and surrounding ecosystems. By using a variety of approaches, such as reduced tillage, intercropping, cover crops, crop rotation, optimization of agricultural inputs,  regenerative agriculture can improve soil fertility, increase carbon sequestration and improve resilience to climate change. 

This perspective not only represents a unique opportunity to reshape global agriculture, but also offers a more efficient and sustainable approach to meeting the challenges of climate change and ensuring food security. By restoring soil biodiversity and fostering the resilience of agricultural ecosystems, regenerative agriculture not only improves soil quality and plant health but can also reduce farmers’ dependence on costly external inputs.

Moreover, by promoting practices that are adapted to local and climatic conditions, this form of agriculture empowers farmers by providing them with tools to mitigate climatic and economic risks. In short, regenerative agriculture not only seeks to maximize agricultural production in a sustainable manner, but also aims to restore and conserve natural resources for future generations.

Empowering Smallholder Farmers

Empowering smallholder farmers is critical to the success of regenerative agriculture. These farmers often face limitations in resources and access to advanced technologies, so they can benefit greatly from education and training programs that equip them with effective knowledge about sustainable practices. 

These programs should cover not only regenerative agricultural techniques, such as soil management and crop biodiversity, but also business management and climate change adaptation. By strengthening the capacities of smallholder farmers, their ability to implement practices that not only increase productivity, but also regenerate natural resources and reduce negative environmental impacts is enhanced.

From my perspective, these should be the key elements to achieve this:

1. Education and training: Implement extensive training programs that teach smallholders about regenerative agriculture practices. This includes workshops, seminars and practical courses that address everything from soil preparation to sustainable crop management.

2. Access to technology and resources: Provide access to innovative technologies and needed resources, such as improved seeds, soil monitoring tools and efficient irrigation solutions. Facilitating access to these resources can make the transition to regenerative agriculture more accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers.

3. Support networks and cooperatives: Encourage the creation of support networks and cooperatives where smallholders can share knowledge, resources and experiences. These networks can provide a mutual support system and facilitate the adoption of regenerative practices at the community level.

4. Economic incentives and public policies: Develop public policies and economic incentives that favor the adoption of regenerative practices. This may include subsidies, low-interest loans and tax benefits for farmers who implement sustainable techniques.

5. Markets and marketing: Establish marketing channels that value and promote products obtained through regenerative practices. Create certification seals and awareness campaigns that inform consumers about the benefits of supporting regenerative producers.

These elements will not only strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers to adopt regenerative practices but will also promote an enabling economic and policy environment that encourages the transition to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture.

Continued Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Continuous innovation is crucial to ensuring a sustainable future in agriculture. It is imperative to collaborate closely with scientists, technicians, and farmers to develop and implement new technologies and practices that improve the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of agricultural systems. From soil management techniques to advances in precision agriculture and digital technologies, innovation can help address the environmental and productivity challenges facing modern agriculture.

Collaboration among all stakeholders in the agricultural sector is essential to identify solutions tailored to different contexts and regions, ensuring that regenerative agriculture is not only effective but also scalable and accessible to all farmers, especially those with limited resources. By adopting a collaborative, knowledge-based approach, we can build a future where agriculture not only sustains the global population but also restores and conserves natural resources for future generations.