Regenerative Agriculture! Could it be the key to rejuvenating the natural ecosystems of the sun-kissed lands of the Caribbean? Read the rest of this blog to discover the transformation the practice may offer for the Caribbean.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative Agriculture is a revolutionary approach to farming as it focuses on nurturing the delicate balance of natural ecosystems and foster community involvement. It regenerates the soil, boosts yield and resilience, boosts biodiversity, and absorbs carbon.
Regeneration of Soil
Regenerative agriculture mainly focuses on healing the soil. The practice of regenerative agriculture avoids usage of chemical inputs and substitutes them with methods such as crop rotation and cover cropping. These methods rejuvenate life into the earth and supports beneficial soil organisms (microbes, fungi and earthworms).
Increased Yields and Resilience
Regenerative practices produce healthier souls with produce nutrient-rich crops. The diversity of vegetation and improved soil make farmlands more resilient to climate-related shocks, ensuring consumers access a more stable food supply with higher concentration of essential micronutrients.
Boosts Biodiversity
The more variety of life forms present in an ecosystem makes it more resilient. Regenerative agricultural practices help vegetation to thrive by encouraging the planting of hedgerows, intercropping, and creation of habitats for pollinators.
Carbon Sequestration
Nowadays, we can all attest to the adverse effects of global warming. Regenerative agriculture promotes using the natural mechanisms in trees, cover crops and healthy souls to lock away carbon dioxide from the air, thereby mitigating its effects on global warming.
Caribbean Success Stories
There are several companies/industries in the Caribbean and Latin American Region that have been applying regenerative methods to their agricultural practices. The list below shows a few companies that endorse the practices, but by no means is an exhaustive list.
Sol Simple. This company has been a leading example of Regenerative agriculture in the region through their commitment to biodiversity restoration and holistic management.
Guayaki. This company exemplifies that planet and profit can coexist since they are known for their sustainable Yerba Mate production, which benefits people and the environment.
Rizoma Agro. They prove that small-scale farmers can be stewards of the land and their method are one of the leading champions in regenerative approaches. Their company spans from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago.
Let us continue to embrace regenerative agriculture across the Caribbean and Latin America (LAC). The practice is more than just growing food; it is about utilizing methods that nurture life and maintain the delicate balance within ecosystems.
By Daren Hall
"I am a natural science enthusiast, with an interest in new discoveries, science and innovation, and environmental sustainability. I endorse initiatives and organizations, like e-Biome, that promote awareness of environmental health, climate change and conservation of natural resources."
References
Climate Scale Action (2023) Regenerative Agriculture: How It Can Improve Food Security, Nutrition, and Livelihood https://scaleclimateaction.org/agriculture/regenerative-agriculture-how-it-can-improve-food-security-nutrition-and-livelihoods/
Global Environment Facility (2021, May) Regenerative agriculture offers fresh solutions for Latin America and the Caribbean. https://www.thegef.org/news/regenerative-agriculture-offers-fresh-solutions-latin-america-and-caribbean
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