Key practices of regenerative agriculture

Minimising tillage

To:

• Avoid disturbing soil structure
• Protect soil organic matter
• Reduce erosion
• Decrease greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere
• And promote plant and animal diversity

Using cover crops

Plants that are sown alongside crops, or alternated with the main crop, to:

• Protect the soil and control erosion
• Improve soil fertility and biodiversity
• Enhance water infiltration and retention
• Reduce water evaporation, as they lower soil temperature
• Increase populations of pollinating insects
• Support the biological control of pests and diseases
• And manage unwanted spontaneous vegetation, i.e. the (so-called) “weeds”

Including animals

From sheep to donkeys or chickens, because:

• They contribute to fertilising fields through their manure
• They feed on spontaneous vegetation and therefore help control the biomass of ground cover
• They also help with green pruning, as they feed on the green leaves of crops such as vines

Using organic amendments and crop residues

Organic amendments include compost or manure and are used for fertilisation:

• They should be locally sourced to reduce the carbon footprint
• It is important to first define the nutritional needs of the crop to ensure balanced fertilisation, thereby minimising groundwater contamination by nitrates and the degradation of organic matter

Creating biodiversity spaces and refuges

In addition to helping restore biodiversity, they contribute to carbon sequestration, erosion reduction, water regulation, pollination, pest control, connectivity between different ecosystems such as fields, forests and streams, and the creation of a mosaic landscape. These include:

• Multifunctional field margins or flower strips, which, for example, support pollinators
• Nest boxes for birds or bats
• Insect hotels
• Biodiversity islands: clusters of vegetation or isolated trees within or near the plot to enhance the presence of more animal and plant species
• Ponds or small water bodies, when aiming to promote aquatic biodiversity

Applying agroforestry and diversification systems

Agroforestry consists of combining crop management with forest management.

Diversification includes practices such as intercropping or crop rotation, which involve combining different types of crops, either simultaneously (e.g. cereals and legumes) or sequentially (e.g. cereals followed by legumes).