Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture: A Guide to Sustainable and Resilient Production Systems

Choudhari, P L and Pasumarthi, R and Patil, M D and Karanam, P and Singh, R and Sawargaonkar, G L and Garg, K K and Savan, R and Kale, S and Behera, B and Dihudi, M and Jat, M L (2024) Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture: A Guide to Sustainable and Resilient Production Systems. ICRISAT, Hyderabad.

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Abstract

In a world grappling with the profound impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, the need for a transformative shift in our approach to agriculture has never been more urgent. While conventional farming has significantly increased our food supply, it has also contributed to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, soil depletion, and a decline in biodiversity. As the effects of these practices become increasingly evident, the call for more sustainable solutions grows louder. Enter regenerative agriculture—a beacon of hope and a promising path forward. This compendium offers a deep dive into the essence of regenerative agriculture, exploring its principles and practices and uncovering how it can address the complex challenges facing modern farming. Climate change, driven by human activities, has led to rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. Agriculture, inherently connected to these climatic shifts, is particularly vulnerable. Traditional farming methods exacerbate these challenges by relying on intensive chemical inputs, monocultures, and soil-degrading practices. Livestock, rice paddies, and synthetic fertilizers release significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide—potent greenhouse gases that intensify global warming. These conventional practices emit greenhouse gases and compromise soil health, diminishing its ability to sequester carbon and support productive agriculture. Against this backdrop of environmental strain, regenerative agriculture emerges as a transformative and hopeful vision. It invites us to reimagine agriculture not merely as a place of production but as a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem. By focusing on rejuvenating soil health, conserving water, and fostering biodiversity, regenerative practices offer a path to mitigate climate impacts and enhance food security. This shift is especially crucial in countries like India, where agriculture is not only a way of life but a lifeline for millions and where pressing issues such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate vulnerability demand urgent attention. At the heart of regenerative agriculture lies the understanding that soil is a living, breathing entity rich with microbial life—an essential foundation for agricultural productivity. Regenerative practices—such as minimizing soil disturbance, employing cover crops, and diversifying crop rotations—are designed to enhance soil health and resilience. These methods align with natural processes, harnessing the power of ecosystems to restore and sustain the land. Unlike industrial farming, which often depletes soil and biodiversity, regenerative agriculture aims to heal and balance our natural resources. This compendium delves into the fundamental principles of regenerative agriculture: minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing crop diversity, keeping soil covered, maintaining living roots year-round, and integrating livestock. Each principle is explored in depth, highlighting its significance for soil health, carbon sequestration, and farm resilience. By adopting a holistic perspective that transcends individual farm boundaries, regenerative agriculture fosters collaborative efforts to build resilient and sustainable food systems. This compendium reveals how regenerative agriculture can redefine our relationship with the land by comprehensively examining these principles. It underscores the necessity of moving beyond traditional practices and advocating for methods that sustain and enhance the health of our ecosystems. As we navigate the complexities of climate change and environmental degradation, regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to a more sustainable and resilient future. This compendium invites you to explore these transformative practices, appreciate their benefits, and envision a future where agriculture harmoniously coexists with the natural world, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.

Item Type:	Book
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Agriculture, Regenerative Agriculture, climate change, environmental degradation, transformative practices
Subjects:	Others > Agriculture Others > Odisha Others > Sustainable Agriculture
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	13 Nov 2024 04:28
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2024 04:29
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12857
Acknowledgement:	This compendium is one of the outputs of the project “Development and Validation of Carbon Standards for Incentivizing Farmers for Regenerative Agricultural Practices (CSIFRA)” funded under the aegis of innovative funds, Govt. of Odisha. We acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha for the partnership and unwavering financial support. We also thank the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment-Odisha, innovative project scheme officers-Bhubaneswar and all the district agricultural officers from the state of Odisha. We are grateful to the One CGIAR– An Initiative on Agroecology which aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, while ensuring food security and livelihoods for farmers.
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