Regenerative Agriculture: Taking Care of the Soil Means Investing in the Farm
Crop productivity begins long before harvest. It begins with the soil.
Healthy soil provides better conditions for root development, improves the use of water and nutrients, and helps crops become more resilient during periods of stress.
In this context, regenerative agriculture is gaining increasing attention across the agricultural sector. Rather than adopting a single isolated practice, the approach focuses on managing the production system as a whole, with the goal of preserving and improving soil health over time.
According to Embrapa, studies conducted with soybean crops have shown productivity variations of up to 30% depending on soil management practices. The institution also highlights that proper soil management can help reduce erosion and nutrient losses, improve biodiversity, and preserve or increase soil organic matter.
But what does it actually mean to apply the principles of regenerative agriculture on the farm?
What Is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is a production approach that seeks to improve soil health and soil function while combining agricultural productivity, natural resource conservation, and the long-term sustainability of the production system.
There is no single universal definition of regenerative agriculture. A review published by the FAO identified different interpretations of the concept but found recurring practices and goals, including the use of cover crops, crop diversification, reduced soil disturbance, and efforts to improve soil health and biodiversity.
In practice, this means looking at the farm not only in terms of the next growing season, but also in terms of the soil's ability to continue supporting productive agriculture for years to come.
Is Regenerative Agriculture the Same as Sustainable Agriculture?
The concepts are closely related, but they are not necessarily synonymous.
Sustainable agriculture focuses on producing food and agricultural products in an economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound way while preserving the resources needed for future production.
Regenerative agriculture, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on the restoration and improvement of natural processes within the agricultural system, particularly soil health.
Key goals include:
- Improving soil structure;
- Increasing the presence and diversity of soil organisms;
- Preserving or increasing soil organic matter;
- Improving water infiltration and water storage;
- Reducing soil erosion;
- Supporting root development;
- Improving nutrient use efficiency;
- Maintaining the productive capacity of the soil over time.
The FAO considers healthy soil to be a living system capable of supporting plant productivity, contributing to water and air quality, and maintaining a diverse community of organisms involved in nutrient cycling and soil structure formation.
Why Is Soil Health So Important?
Soil is much more than the place where a plant grows.
It is a complex environment where physical, chemical, and biological processes take place and directly influence crop development.
Soil structure, porosity, compaction, organic matter, and water and nutrient availability are all directly related to root growth and activity.
When these conditions are favorable, roots can explore a greater volume of soil, increasing their access to water and nutrients.
On the other hand, degraded or compacted soils can restrict root development, reduce water infiltration, and increase the risks associated with water stress.
Embrapa highlights that characteristics such as soil structure, compaction, porosity, and water retention influence root system development, nutrient uptake, and, consequently, crop productivity.
That is why taking care of the soil also means taking care of the roots and the productive potential of the crop.
What Are the Main Regenerative Agriculture Practices?
Regenerative agriculture does not depend on a single technique. Results come from combining practices that are appropriate for each farm's soil, climate, crop, and production system.
Some of the main practices include:
1. Keep the Soil Covered
Keeping soil protected with living plants or crop residues is one of the most important strategies for soil conservation.
Soil cover reduces direct exposure to sunlight and the impact of raindrops, helping reduce erosion and the loss of soil particles.
Vegetative cover can also improve water infiltration, reduce evaporation, and contribute to the accumulation of soil organic matter.
In addition, crop residues provide carbon and other compounds that support biological processes in the soil.
2. Use Cover Crops
Cover crops serve a purpose that goes far beyond simply protecting the soil surface.
They can produce biomass, contribute to nutrient cycling, improve soil cover, and support biological activity.
When incorporated into diversified crop rotation systems, cover crops can also help keep the soil protected during periods when the main crop is not growing.
Embrapa highlights that the use of cover crops in crop rotation systems can contribute to biodiversity, chemical and biological soil balance, and the addition of organic matter.
3. Practice Crop Rotation
Continuously growing the same crop can increase pressure from certain pests and diseases and contribute to an imbalance in the production system.
Crop rotation consists of planning a sequence of different crops across growing seasons.
This diversification can contribute to soil fertility, nutrient cycling, pest and disease management, and the production of different types of crop residues.
Embrapa identifies crop rotation as one of the pillars of no-till systems and highlights its benefits for soil fertility, soil cover, and the reduction of crop health problems.
4. Reduce Soil Disturbance
Excessive tillage can negatively affect soil structure and accelerate the decomposition of organic matter.
For this reason, conservation-based production systems prioritize minimal soil disturbance, helping preserve soil aggregates and keep crop residues on the soil surface.
In no-till systems, for example, three principles are fundamental: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation.
The adoption of these practices should naturally take into account the specific conditions of each farm and be supported by appropriate technical guidance.
5. Increase and Preserve Soil Organic Matter
Soil organic matter performs several important functions.
It contributes to soil structure formation and stabilization, influences water-holding capacity, and is related to cation exchange capacity (CEC). It also serves as an energy source for many soil organisms.
For this reason, strategies that increase organic matter inputs and reduce organic matter losses are important components of a regenerative soil management system.
The combination of permanent soil cover, crop diversification, and biomass production is one way to support this process.
What Is the Relationship Between Regenerative Agriculture and Productivity?
One of the main questions farmers have is whether taking better care of the soil can actually lead to productive results.
The answer lies in the relationship between soil, roots, water, and nutrients.
Soil with good structure and favorable conditions for root growth allows plants to explore the soil profile more effectively.
This can be especially important during periods of water stress.
According to Embrapa, soil management affects characteristics such as structure, compaction, porosity, and water retention, which in turn influence root development, nutrient uptake, and soybean productivity.
For this reason, regenerative agriculture should not be viewed only as an environmental strategy.
It can also be a strategy for production efficiency.
The better the environment in which roots develop, the greater the potential for plants to make efficient use of available resources.
Regenerative Agriculture and Efficient Fertilizer Use
Taking care of the soil does not mean eliminating the use of fertilizers.
On the contrary, effective soil management and a well-planned fertility program should work together.
Fertilizers provide the nutrients plants need for growth and development. Proper soil management, in turn, helps create the conditions for those nutrients to be used more efficiently.
This involves considering factors such as:
- Soil fertility testing and interpretation;
- Crop nutrient requirements;
- Nutrient availability;
- Root system development;
- Soil organic matter;
- Soil pH;
- Cation exchange capacity (CEC);
- Water availability;
- Physical and biological soil characteristics.
In conservation-oriented production systems, chemical, physical, and biological soil fertility should not be analyzed separately.
The goal is to build a balanced and productive growing environment.
How Can Farmers Start Applying Regenerative Agriculture?
There is no need to transform the entire production system all at once.
The first step is to understand the soil and identify the main areas that need improvement.
From there, farmers can establish priorities and monitor results across growing seasons.
Some possible steps include:
- Conduct soil tests and monitor changes over time.
- Evaluate soil compaction and structure, especially in areas with a history of soil-related problems.
- Plan crop rotations according to the characteristics of the farm.
- Use cover crops to protect the soil and increase biomass production.
- Reduce unnecessary soil disturbance.
- Invest in the production and preservation of soil organic matter.
- Monitor root development and evaluate root depth and distribution.
- Plan fertilizer applications according to crop requirements and soil conditions.
- Monitor results to evaluate changes in physical, chemical, and biological soil indicators.
Regenerative agriculture should be developed according to the specific conditions of each farm. What works in one region or production system may need to be adjusted for another.
For this reason, working with a qualified agronomic professional is essential to turn general principles into strategies that are appropriate for each crop and production system.
Regenerative Agriculture Is a Strategy for Today and Tomorrow
Crop productivity does not depend only on what happens during the growing season.
It is also the result of the conditions that have been built in the soil over time.
Practices such as permanent soil cover, crop rotation, reduced soil disturbance, increased organic matter, and proper soil fertility management help create a more favorable environment for crops and the organisms that live in the soil.
That is why regenerative agriculture is also about planning.
It means understanding that soil is not simply a resource used by the crop, but a fundamental part of the entire production system.
Taking care of the soil today means investing in the ability to produce tomorrow.
For farmers, this approach can represent more than sustainability. It can mean efficiency, stability, and greater productive potential across future growing seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Regenerative Agriculture
What Is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture is a production approach that seeks to restore and improve soil health and the functioning of the agricultural system through practices such as soil cover, crop rotation, reduced soil disturbance, diversification, and increased soil organic matter.
What Are the Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture?
Key benefits include soil conservation, reduced erosion, improved soil structure and water retention, increased biodiversity, better root development, and greater nutrient use efficiency.
Does Regenerative Agriculture Increase Productivity?
Proper soil management can directly influence characteristics related to root development, water availability, and nutrient uptake. In soybean production, Embrapa reports productivity variations of up to 30% associated with soil management.
What Practices Are Part of Regenerative Agriculture?
Common practices include no-till farming or minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, cover crops, crop rotation, system diversification, biomass production, and soil organic matter management.
Why Is Soil Organic Matter Important?
Soil organic matter contributes to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. It is related to soil structure, water retention, CEC, and soil organism activity, while also playing an important role in nutrient cycling.
How Can Farmers Get Started With Regenerative Agriculture?
The ideal starting point is a farm-level soil assessment. Soil testing, evaluation of soil structure and compaction, crop history, and identification of the main soil limitations can help determine which practices should be prioritized.
Conclusion
Regenerative agriculture starts with a simple idea: a productive crop begins with healthy soil.
When farmers invest in soil conservation, organic matter, biodiversity, soil cover, and balanced soil fertility, they are doing more than protecting the soil. They are creating better conditions for their crops to reach their productive potential.
At Solo Rico, we believe technology and sound soil management should work together to turn farmers' investments into productivity and profitability.
Want to learn more about solutions for soil management and soil fertility?
Talk to the Solo Rico team and discover how we can help improve your crop performance.
Sources and References
- Embrapa — Soil Management in Soybean Production.
- Embrapa — Conservation Soil Management and No-Till Systems.
- Embrapa — Crop Rotation.
- Embrapa — Conservation Management of Soil Organic Matter.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) — What Is Healthy Soil?
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) — What Is Regenerative Agriculture? A Review of Scholar and Practitioner Definitions.
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