The release of carbon dioxide is one drawback of agriculture. Farming practices sometimes produce greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. But regenerative agriculture is an ideal solution that can leverage the potential of agriculture in solving climate change.
Regenerative agriculture is a an approach that aims to fix climate-related problems by improving resources instead of wasting them. The practices center on good soil health, nutrient density, crop resilience, and paid water management to benefit people and the environment.
While this practice seems underrated, indigenous communities have done regenerative agriculture for years. In fact, it stems from an indigenous approach to restoring ecology and fighting discrimination. Keep reading to learn more about regenerative farming.
How Regenerative Agriculture Alleviates Climate Change
No single practice can reverse the drastic effects of climate change. But regenerative agriculture is one practice that can minimize its outcome. It rebuilds the components of the soil and restores degraded resources.
Regenerative agriculture does this by increasing soil organic matter. Doing so will not only increase the diversity of biota in the soil. But it also increases the capacity to hold water and sequesters carbon in the deep soil. This results in a lower level of atmospheric carbon and improves the earth’s structure.
Unlike traditional agriculture, regenerative agriculture does not increase the levels of atmospheric carbon. It allows croplands to become a carbon sink, storing carbon to prevent it from going to the atmosphere.
This practice also improves communities and economies. You’ll save more from the reduced use of herbicides, antibiotics and chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.
But while many farmers are embracing this strategy, there are still more who are unaware of regenerative agriculture.
Regenerative Agriculture Practices That Can Mitigate Climate Change
Try these easy practices on regenerative agriculture to help save the environment.
Little to No Soil Tillage
Minimum tillage or none at all will enhance the aggregation of the soil, water retention, and carbon sequestration. Even so, some soils benefit from interval ripping to break down hardpans. This can improve yields, increase the soil’s health, and store carbon.
Composting
The first step in creating ecosystem diversity is the introduction of composts or their extracts to soils to restore the community of microorganisms, functionality, and structure. This can be done by planting multispecies crops, multiple crop intercrop plantings, and creating nearby habitats for beneficial insects.
Good Grazing Practices
Efficient and effective grazing practices can promote plant growth and increase soil carbon storage, pasture, and land productivity. Such practices significantly increase soil fertility, insect diversity, and plant diversity.
Well-managed grazing practices also improve the health of the consumers of agricultural goods through healthier micro-nutrient availability.
Cover Crops and Crop Rotations
Applying cover crops, compost, crop rotations, and animal manures increases soil fertility. These will also restore the plant and soil microbiome, aiding in recycling essential nutrients in the soil.
On the contrary, applying artificial fertilizers harm the function and structure of the microbiome in the soil, preventing the natural acquisition of nutrients for the plants.