Regenerative agriculture is an approach to cultivating land that goes beyond simple food production. It uses nature-based practices and transforms agricultural soils into carbon sinks.
25% of the planet's soils are highly degraded (source: IFP Energies Nouvelles, 2018), a percentage which rises to 41% for cultivated soils, and continues to increase each year. Soils are composed of mineral matter (rock debris, such as silt, sand, clay, etc.) and organic matter, defined as "anything living or has been living" (plants, microorganisms, etc.). This organic matter is itself composed of 50% carbon.Practices like using compost instead of chemical inputs to enrich soils, crop rotation, and using cover crops help increase soil fertility and prevent soil erosion. These methods enrich the soil with organic matter essential for its health and productivity. The first incorporates techniques that help restore ecosystems, while the second focuses primarily on the elimination of harmful chemicals. So, what are the benefits of regenerative agriculture for the environment, and, by extension, for our health and that of the ecosystems on which we depend? Regenerative agriculture plays a key role in the more sustainable management of water resources. Practices such as cover cropping and agroforestry help maintain soil moisture and reduce erosion. By improving soil health and biodiversity, it helps agricultural systems better withstand climate extremes, such as more frequent floods and droughts. This approach also helps mitigate climate change by storing more carbon in soils. Together, these two approaches can significantly transform our food system, making it more resilient, healthy, and environmentally friendly. Although it differs from organic farming, it shares its principles of sustainability and complements them effectively. We speak of a “carbon sink” when soils trap more CO2 than they emit. It is essential to building resilience to climate change. By adopting practices that restore soil, preserve water, and conserve biodiversity, and contribute to the fight against climate change, it is a promising path for the future of agriculture and the preservation of ecosystems.