b'DIFFERENT FROM ORGANICREGENERATIVE AGRICULTUREAGRICULTUREA fundamental point of difference from cer-tified organic production is that regenera-tive agriculture can be inclusive of a broad range of technologies and inputs, so long as they contribute to its guiding principles.Many progressive farmers I have spoken to about their experiences with introducing regen-ag on a commercial basis are adamant that it would not currently beKEEP SOIL COVERED MAINTAIN CROP MINIMIZE SOIL viable without the judicious use of pesticidesDIVERSITY DISTURBANCEsuch as glyphosate, for example. They are equally insistent that regen-ag should allow access to new breeding technologies such as gene editing to help maintain or increase productivity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs. By contrast, both glypho-sate and gene editing are explicitly excluded by organic certification.As we mourn the recent passing of Dr.INTEGRATEMAINTAIN LIVING MS Swaminathan, one of the fathers of theLIVESTOCK ROOTSGreen Revolution, it is important that we bear in mind the enormous successes of agricultural science and technology. needed to assess the power of regenerativeThis outcomes-focused approach to It is absolutely unacceptable that 10agriculture. data collection and assimilation will be per cent of the worlds population will goIn short, there is a need to provide theessential not only to understand and drive to bed hungry today. But if we go back toscience which can scale-up and underpinbest practice at the farm level, but also to the time when Borlaug, Swaminathan andthe credibility of regenerative farming sys- provide information to customers and ulti-colleagues set the basis for the great leaptems, based on a recognition that practicesmately consumers about the comparative in agricultural productivity that resulted infocused on increasing soil organic matter,sustainability impact of each unit of food the Green Revolution, that figure was 30avoiding erosion, and reducing disturbanceproduced, whether that is a loaf of bread, a per cent. to the soil are entirely compatible with sus- punnet of strawberries, or a bag of potatoes. Not only has agricultural innovationtainable intensification and precision agri-managed to keep up with massive popula- culture.INTEGRATING REGEN AG INTO tion growth, but it has also helped reduceNIABs vision of regenerative farmingGENETICShunger and extend life-expectancy at ais that it shares with sustainable intensifi- We also plan to integrate regen-ag objec-remarkable pace. cation and precision agriculture the aim oftives into our genetics and pre-breeding optimising productivityproducing moreactivities, for example by improving the SUSTAINABLY INTENSIFYINGfrom less - while at the same time protect- performance and viability of N-fixing FOOD PRODUCTION ing and improving the condition of the landpulse cropping options, investigating novel As we face the challenges of climate changeand surrounding environment. crop opportunities, and even exploring the and the pressing need to grow crops thatIn that sense, regenerative agriculturepotential for cover crops to become an addi-are healthier and environmentally friend- is neither hype nor hope, but just a sensibletional source of revenue within the rota-lier, yet still profitable, the question weway of farming that should be supported bytion (as is already happening in the United should ask is: can we sustainably intensifysolid evidence-based science. States with the development of gene edited the way we produce food? The technologiesThats why NIAB is preparing theCovercress TMas a source of high value oil and strategies behind soil restoration andground for a major research effort focusedand animal feed).regenerative farming stand at the intersec- on delivering the science behind regenera- I am confident that a progressive, tion of these challenges. tive agriculture, building on our independ- science-based approach to regen-ag that So, while the buzz behind regenerativeence and research leadership in soil science,embraces innovation and harnesses the farming is attracting significant and grow- variety testing, rotational agronomy, preci- power of large-scale data offers the poten-ing interest across the value chain, theresion agronomy, cover cropping, data sciencetial for high-yielding, profitable crop pro-remains a lack of commercial-scale data toand water use efficiency.duction to go hand-in-hand with reducing inform best practice, and a lack of independ- NIABs objective for this ambitiousagricultures environmental and climate ent science which will incentivise farmers toprogramme is not only to be the go-to placeimpacts.transition at a pace and scale to match.for independent advice on issues such as variety selection, cover crops, rotations andEditors Note: This article was adapted from FLUFFY CLAIMS ARE NOTagronomy, but also to develop the metricsRegenerative agriculture - hype or hope? by ENOUGH by which the sustainability of regenerativeprofessor Mario Caccamo, which appeared in As former Teagasc director Professor Gerryagriculture practicesin terms of resourceNovember 2023 on Science for Sustainable Boyle observed recently: .fluffy claims areuse and environmental impactcan beAgriculture https://www.scienceforsustaina-not enough, and robust scientific data isbenchmarked and monitored over time.bleagriculture.com/mariocaccamo3SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 27'