The Role of Regenerative Agriculture in Combating Soil Degradation in India
Soil degradation poses an imminent threat to India’s agricultural future. As of 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reported that around 25% of India’s total geographical area had been affected by land desertification and only 30% of the land in 15 states could be taken up for treating land degradation. As keepers of economic development and societal welfare, relevant stakeholders and government ministries must play a role in reversing this trend through sustainable agriculture solutions.
Responding to this challenge, regenerative agriculture presents a viable solution. Regenerative agriculture is a transformative farming approach that improves the health of the soil, water, and biodiversity by rebuilding soil organic matter. Turns out, rather than the depletive nature of conventional approaches, regenerative practices preserve the natural ecosystem through cover cropping, minimum tillage, and diversified crop rotations. In fact, studies have shown that these can build soil organic matter by up to 40%, hence greatly improving soil health and fertility. Indeed, agricultural innovation within the country is growing to support such regenerative practices.
Start-ups and research institutions are developing technologies that will enable real-time monitoring of soil health by farmers and optimize water usage, among others, in precision farming tools. These innovations not only improve productivity but also correspond with the United Nations SDGs, especially SDG 15, which focuses on life on land.
Thus, regenerative agriculture is an investment with a strategic and moral stance for large-cap companies and CSR wings. Sustainable farming reduces the dependability on chemical inputs, thereby reducing environmental risks. According to the World Economic Forum, regenerative farming can reduce emissions from agriculture and turn the croplands and pastures, covering up to 40% of Earth’s ice-free land area, into carbon sinks.
In the Indian context, this means increased food security and rural livelihood. Government ministries in states and at the Centre are taking a more supportive stand regarding regenerative agriculture initiatives. Political will is tilting toward policies offering incentives for sustainable practices, with technical support extended to farmers. NGOs and social sector organizations provide other essential partnerships through facilitation of on-ground implementation and engagement in communities.
Bringing together regenerative agriculture into the strategies of CSR and ESG frameworks has the potential for tremendous environmental and social impacts. Together, companies can apply joint investment and policy advocacy as a way to make these practices the rule rather than the exception.
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