Regenerative Agriculture: What's New?

Regenerative Agriculture has been gaining ground in discussions on sustainability, but it still generates debate. For some, the concept repackages already consolidated practices, such as conservationist and sustainable agriculture, which include soil preservation and efficient management of natural resources. Proponents of this term, however, emphasize that this model goes further, prioritizing the regeneration of productive ecosystems through soil recovery, increased biodiversity, carbon capture and optimized water use, without compromising the economic viability of properties. In Brazil, its adoption is growing, but the lack of a single definition makes it difficult to implement and measure its impacts.

According to Gheler-Costa et al. (2023), there are two approaches to defining Regenerative Agriculture: process-based and results-oriented . The first emphasizes specific agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation and integrated soil management , while the second focuses on the impacts generated, such as carbon sequestration and increased biodiversity . Both complement each other and help overcome the challenges of defining and applying this concept.

The process approach focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, vegetation cover, nutrient management and soil conservation, which are essential for ecosystem regeneration. However, because it relies on existing techniques, it can limit the adoption of new technologies or regional adaptations. Therefore, continuous monitoring is essential to incorporate innovations and improve the results of regenerative agriculture.

Regenerative Agriculture practices are structured around four main axes (Image 1): (i) Conservation Agriculture , which protects the soil through techniques such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and integrated nutrient management, among other conservation strategies; (ii) Integration of crops and trees with livestock , which optimizes land use by combining different production systems, such as pasture management, agroforestry, and silvopastoral systems; (iii) Restoration of soil health , focused on environmental recovery, with practices such as soil degradation neutrality (SDN), afforestation of degraded areas, and restoration of wetlands, essential for the regeneration of ecosystems; and (iv) Carbon absorption from the terrestrial biosphere , which reduces emissions through carbon sequestration in the soil (organic and inorganic) and by biomass, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.

Figure 1 - Agricultural practices envisaged in regenerative agriculture

Source: GHELER-COSTA et al., (2023) apud Lal (2020)

Brazil has already adopted several practices associated with regenerative agriculture, such as no-till farming, biological control, and cover cropping, which are widely used in the agricultural sector. According to McKinsey (2022), which interviewed 2.000 rural producers, no-till farming is applied by more than 80% of farmers, while around 60% adopt cover crops and biological control. However, practices that require greater investment, such as irrigation, still have low adoption. The research also indicates that cost reduction and increased productivity are the main factors driving the adoption of these practices, reinforcing the need for financial incentives and support policies to expand the transition to regenerative agriculture. 

The definition of Regenerative Agriculture from a results-oriented approach focuses on the impacts obtained by agricultural practices, evaluating the ecosystem and socioeconomic benefits generated. This perspective prioritizes measurable metrics, such as carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, improved soil quality, and water retention. The main advantage of this approach is its flexibility, allowing new practices to be included as technologies and knowledge about agricultural sustainability evolve. However, it depends on the development of robust indicators and standardized methods to monitor and certify the desired impacts, which requires significant technical and financial efforts (GHELER-COSTA et al., 2023).

The diversity of climates and production systems in Brazil makes it difficult to create standardized metrics for regenerative agriculture, especially due to the lack of infrastructure and technical knowledge in some regions. Simple, accessible, and scientifically reliable indicators are essential to measure its impacts and expand access to financing. Furthermore, cooperation between the government and the production sector is essential to develop these metrics and ensure a sustainable and economically viable model. Investments in research and innovation are also crucial to strengthen market transparency and Brazil's competitiveness in production chains that require proof of sustainability (GHELER-COSTA et al., 2023).

The adoption of regenerative agriculture must be financially attractive to ensure its expansion, offering benefits such as increased productivity and access to differentiated markets. In this sense, programs such as the ABC Plan, ABC+ and RenovAgro have been fundamental in financing the transition to regenerative practices. Between 2010 and 2020, the ABC Plan exceeded its goals, recovering 26,8 million hectares of degraded pastures (179% of the goal) and implementing 10,76 million hectares in crop-livestock-forest integration systems (269% of the goal), resulting in the mitigation of more than 193 million tons of CO₂ equivalent (BRASIL, 2023).

Brazilian experience shows that, in addition to public funding, there is room for private initiatives to be incentivized through mechanisms such as Blended Finance , which combines public and private resources to mitigate risks and expand investments. This model allows private capital to be directed towards projects with greater socio-environmental impact, enhancing efforts towards a more regenerative and inclusive agriculture.

In addition to the economic and financial aspects, a key aspect of regenerative agriculture is climate resilience. The ability of production systems to adapt to climate change should be among the expected results of this model. Regenerative practices, such as crop diversification, integrated soil management and biodiversity restoration, not only promote the regeneration of ecosystems, but also increase the capacity of crops and pastures to withstand extreme weather events, such as droughts and heavy rainfall. Thus, the adoption of these practices becomes an essential mechanism to ensure the stability of agricultural production in the long term and minimize the adverse impacts of climate change on food security.

Regenerative Agriculture has established itself as an essential model for sustainable agriculture, combining productivity, environmental conservation and climate adaptation. Although many of its practices are already adopted, its distinguishing feature lies in its systemic approach, which seeks to restore productive ecosystems, rather than just mitigate negative impacts. In Brazil, this model is gaining relevance in light of the need to balance agricultural expansion and the preservation of natural resources. For this transformation to occur on a large scale, it is essential to overcome challenges such as standardizing definitions, developing reliable metrics and financial incentives. The viability of this model will depend on the integration of innovation, technical knowledge and effective public policies, allowing regenerative agriculture to strengthen climate resilience and position Brazil as a global reference in sustainable production.

References and recommended reading

BRAZIL. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. ABC Plan: ten years of success and a new sustainable form of agricultural production. Brasília: MAPA/SDI, 2023. ISBN 978-85-7991-215-3.

NATIONAL BANK FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (BNDES). Circular SUP/ADIG No. 53/2024-BNDES - RenovAgro: Financing Program for Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems - Agricultural Year 2024/2025. Rio de Janeiro, 2024.

GHELER-COSTA, C.; LOPES, J.; CRUZ, GM da. Regenerative agriculture in Brazil: challenges and opportunities.

LAL, R. Regenerative agriculture for food and climate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, vol. 75, no. 5, p. 123A–124A, 2020.

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