Beyond Sustainability: New Frontier of Regenerative Agriculture

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Prof. M Zahidul Haque and Tanzila Rahman

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a holistic approach to farming that emphasizes restoring and enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Unlike conventional farming, RA employs practices that enrich the soil, increase biodiversity, improve water retention, and sequester carbon. The focus is not just on sustaining but actively rejuvenating agricultural land, making RA a cornerstone of sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship Key Elements of Regenerative Agriculture: Essential elements of regenerative agriculture include:

--Crop Rotation: Enhances soil nutrients and disrupts pest cycles.

--Cover Cropping: Protects soil, improves nutrient cycling, and reduces erosion.

--Reduced Tillage: Preserves soil structure and maintains organic matter.

--Agroforestry: Integrates trees into farming systems, enriching biodiversity.

--Managed Grazing: Rotational grazing improves pasture health and soil organic matter

Tanzila Rahman

Importance of Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) addresses multiple environmental and agricultural challenges. RA enhances organic matter, soil structure, and microbial activity, supporting robust plant growth. By fostering diverse crops and natural ecosystems, RA promotes a balanced ecosystem that aids in pest control and pollination. It ensures a better water management; Healthy soils retain water better, reducing runoff and aiding crops during dry periods. By capturing carbon in the soil, RA helps mitigate climate change impacts. Studies show that RA practices can increase soil organic matter by 5-20% over time, depending on the specific methods and local conditions. For example, the Rodale Institute estimates that global adoption of RA could sequester more than 100% of current annual CO₂ emissions, reducing the atmospheric impact of agriculture on climate change.

Boosting Production through RA

Regenerative Agriculture can enhance agricultural productivity sustainably by improving soil fertility and reducing dependency on chemical inputs. By rebuilding soil structure and organic matter, RA methods support higher crop yields and make plants more resilient to environmental stresses. Integrating livestock with crop production improves nutrient cycling, which can further increase yields over time.

RA Practices in Bangladesh Agriculture and Sustainable Nutrition:

In Bangladesh, RA practices such as agroforestry, integrated crop-livestock systems, and cover cropping are gaining traction. For example, Agroforestry in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) enhances biodiversity and prevents soil erosion. In CHTs, agroforestry has helped increase tree cover and biodiversity by over 20% in the past decade, contributing to more resilient farming system.

Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems in areas like the Jamuna floodplain utilize livestock to graze on crop residues, improving soil fertility.

Cover Cropping with legumes enriches soil nitrogen and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers. These practices help achieve sustainable nutrition by promoting diverse, nutrient-rich diets and enhancing food security.

Adoption and Policy Support: According to the FAO, nearly 60% of agricultural land worldwide is degraded, underscoring the urgency of regenerative practices. FAO recommendations have already spurred RA adoption in Bangladesh and other nations, with a 15% increase in RA-focused projects since 2020, aimed at improving soil health and productivity.

FAO Recommendations for RA

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has endorsed Regenerative Agriculture (RA) as essential for sustainable food systems, with certain recommendations that include:

Agro ecological Practices: Encourage crop rotation and intercropping for enhanced biodiversity.

Soil Health Management: Emphasize organic matter addition and erosion reduction.

Water Management: Promote rainwater harvesting and sustainable irrigation.

Healthy soils under RA can increase water-holding capacity by as much as 10%, which is crucial for drought resilience. For instance, in Bangladesh, cover cropping and reduced tillage have shown an increase in water retention by around 15-20%, helping crops survive during dry spells Diversification: Recommend crop and livestock diversification to build ecosystem resilience.

Future of RA

The future of RA is promising, particularly as global food demand and climate concerns escalate. With technology and policy support, RA can drive the transformation to sustainable food systems, minimizing environmental impacts while meeting global nutritional needs. Enhanced community involvement and policy frameworks that support RA are key to its large-scale adoption.

Finally it may be said that Regenerative Agriculture holds immense potential to revitalize farming by focusing on ecological health and resilience. As Bangladesh and other countries adopt RA practices, we move toward a sustainable food future that not only feeds people but also safeguards our dear planet.

(Prof. M Zahidul Haque is a former faculty and Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka and Tanzila Rahman, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Ramu, Cox’s Bazar)