Europe is currently facing up to the challenge of soil health. It’s been estimated up to 70% of soils in the region are deteriorated.
Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a key solution to meet the challenges facing the agricultural sector in terms of mitigating its carbon footprint and environmental impact, according to experts at the Expo AgriTech 2024, the agricultural fair taking place in Malaga, Spain.
The event is supported by the Andalusian government’s agriculture ministry and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Julio Román, project coordinator of the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) stressed the seriousness of soil degradation in Europe, stating that “60-70% of European soils are deteriorated. In Spain alone, 1,500 million tons of soil are lost annually due to erosion”. It is essential to change agricultural practices to adapt to the soil and preserve its natural structure, he added. “There is no agriculture 4.0 without healthy soils. We must reduce tillage, use organic matter and protect biodiversity to ensure sustainability.”
Francesc Font, a ninth-generation farmer and CEO of The Regen Academy, a consultancy, shared the results of his transition to the regen ag model. “In a decade we have increased the fertility of our soils tenfold, improved water retention by 50% and reduced costs by 20%. All this using modern technologies, demonstrating that this practice is an investment in the future and not a step backwards.”
Font also addressed the connection between soil regeneration and climate change, pointing out that these techniques have the potential to sequester carbon and generate additional income for farmers through carbon credits. “If 70% of farmers did regenerative agriculture we would put an end to the climate crisis,” he concluded.
Others highlighted the advances in regenerative agriculture in Europe and the role of projects such as Navarra 360º, which seeks to position the territory as a responsible and innovative destination by pioneering the integration of sustainable value chains.
“Regenerative agriculture is not just a set of practices, it is a systemic approach that boosts biodiversity, reduces emissions and improves the resilience of the sector,” said Begoña Pérez, director of entrepreneurship programmes at EIT Food South.
“However, certification and monitoring are essential to ensure verifiable and transparent results,” he added.
Technical and financial support
Other experts stressed the point that farmers must also receive training and financial support so that regenerative practices regen agriculture can prove a viable and sustainable income source for farmers in the long run. Integrated financing approaches are necessary to support farmers during the transition period, said Felipe Cortinas, a farmer from the Cadiz region.
He emphasised that the transition requires training and accompaniment, because “technical and financial support is necessary to overcome the initial challenges. Regenerative agriculture can be more economical and effective, but it involves investing time and resources”.
But he added there has been a growing acceptance of these methods among farmers, some of whom are beginning to see long-term benefits.
In Spain, 60% of farmers who have implemented regenerative agriculture actions report improvements in soil organic matter levels, which contributes to greater fertility and resistance to erosion, according to an EIT Food report unveiled at the event.