Farming for the Future: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Regenerative Practices

International Day for Biological Diversity is a time to reflect on the rich diversity of life on our planet and the intricate interdependencies that sustain it. One of the most critical relationships is between agriculture and biodiversity. Agriculture is unique from the perspective that it both depends on and impacts biodiversity. A lot of species like soil micro-organisms, birds, pollinators, amphibians, and even aquatic species are dependent on the agriculture done in harmony with nature, allowing healthy flow of varied ecosystem services. This dual role makes agriculture a pivotal sector in the global effort to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change.

Agricultural Footprint

Agriculture accounts for approximately 33% of global land use (Searchinger, 2019). This extensive land use has profound implications for biodiversity. Land use changes associated with agriculture and forestry together contribute more than 18% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Our World in Data). Unsustainable agricultural practices, such as excessive groundwater extraction for inefficient irrigation, unscientific application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and converting agriculture from a carbon sink to a carbon source, have been criticized at multiple national and international forums.

Impact on Biodiversity

The capability of farms to produce food, fodder, fiber, and fruits is heavily dependent on soil nutrients, soil moisture, pollination, natural pest predation, and micro-climate conditions. However, the drive to produce large volumes of crops often comes at the expense of soil microbiomes, farm insects and dependent species. Excessive tillage, unscientific irrigation, and other external inputs have turned agriculture into a degenerative practice, leading to the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) and the death of beneficial microorganisms. This reduction in organic matter diminishes the soil’s ability to retain moisture and further degrades biodiversity.

A Path Forward: Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture has been proposed as an alternative production system with lower—or even net positive—environmental and social impacts. At its core, regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring degraded soils, improving soil moisture, and enhancing farm biodiversity. This approach can be both a climate mitigation and resilience strategy (Rhodes, 2017). Unlike conventional agriculture, regenerative practices enhance and sustain soil health by restoring its carbon content, which in turn improves productivity. Micro- habitats created under the strategy go in favor of birds, pollinators, and other dependent species. Further regulated chemical exposure, leads to less of pollution and undesired impact in the terrestrial and aquatic micro habitats.

It is estimated that globally, regenerative annual cropping could expand from 11.84 million hectares currently to between 219.16 and 320.45 million hectares by 2050. This expansion could reduce or sequester 14.5 to 22 gigatons of CO2 by 2050. The cost of implementing regenerative agricultural practices is estimated at $355.05 per hectare, while the net profit is estimated at $530.39 per hectare per year (Project Drawdown, 2020). These practices not only make agriculture sustainable but also have the potential to improve crop yields, food production, and farmers’ income.

Traditionally, Indian agriculture was practiced in harmony with nature, maintaining a balance through constant input-output interplay. However, today, the majority of Indian farmers rely on high-input intensive production systems. A small number practice organic agriculture, focusing on soil organic carbon and non-chemical inputs. Regenerative agriculture can enhance these practices by emphasizing additional ecosystem services to work on that farms could provide, such as soil nutrient cycling, groundwater recharge, and habitats for beneficial insects, pollinators, and birds.

Center for Responsible Business envisions a world where business operates in harmony with nature. In collaboration with Solidaridad Asia and Solidaridad India, CRB has identified regenerative agriculture as a pivotal strategy to engage stakeholders in promoting biodiversity-positive agribusiness. Through various partnerships, CRB and Solidaridad are addressing issues in the cotton and oilseed sectors, promoting and popularizing regenerative practices among stakeholders.

References

• Searchinger, T., Waite, R., Hanson, C., Ranganathan, J., Dumas, P., Matthews, E.,et al. (2019). Creating a sustainable Food Future: A Menu of Solutions to FeedNearly 10 Billion People by 2050. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.
• https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sector
• Harwood RR. (1983. ) International overview of regenerative agriculture. In: Proceedings of Workshop on Resource-efficient Farming Methods for Tanzania, Morogoro, Tanzania, 16–20 May 1983, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Science, University of Dares Salaam, . Morogoro, TZ: Rodale Press. 
• Rhodes CJ. The Imperative for Regenerative Agriculture. Science Progress. 2017;100(1):80-129. doi:3184/003685017X14876775256165
• https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/regenerative-annual-cropping