Key Insights from the Webinar – Keeping Regenerative Real

• “Regenerative” has captured the imagination of value chain actors – from farmers, food companies, to retailers, philanthropies, and policymakers – because of its aspirational messaging.
• Large agribusinesses and cultural media are embracing regenerative language while resisting agroecology and organic initiatives across the African Union, European Union, and national policy arenas.
• Despite bold rhetoric, corporate regenerative claims are rarely backed by robust strategies or action.
• In its statement “Elevating truly regenerative agriculture”, the organic movement reaffirms its commitment to working with serious regenerative and agroecological partners, creating pathways for and with farmers through Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and peer-to-peer approaches.

Read the full statement

• Ecological regenerative agriculture, as defined by Sir Albert Howard (1946), is rooted in recycling organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil rather than merely extracting them.
• In the U.S., “regenerative agriculture” often refers to no-till and cover-crop practices, though many farmers use the term more broadly to describe approaches they believe can improve land stewardship.
• Long-term data from the Farming Systems Trial (1981- present) show concerning correlations between no-till practices and cancer rates.
• Truly regenerative organic agriculture shall include a socio-economic dimension, ensuring fair returns to farmers and equitable support for farming communities.

• Regeneration is ultimately a system-level outcome, emerging from interlinked economic, social, and ecological efforts and actions.
• Economically, regenerative systems require full cost accounting and equitable access to and distribution of wealth.
• Socially, they prioritise nutrient integrity to protect human health.
• Ecologically, they integrate water systems, biodiversity, and soil health.
• A global regenerative movement can be advanced by uniting organisations working directly with the world’s 700 million farmers and by strengthening standards and certifications built on PGS and peer-to-peer certification models.

• Holmbeck: Regulatory frameworks for conventional farming, such as pesticide restrictions and pesticide fees, send clear signals about undesirable practices.  Increasing pressure on degenerative practices creates opportunities for organic and regenerative approaches.
• Haslett-Marroquin: Real change begins at the grassroots. In the U.S., agribusiness’ influence over the government makes progressive regulation difficult. Efforts should focus on organising communities to drive bottom-up transformation.

• Holmbeck: Encouraging developments are emerging across East, West, and Southern Africa, where countries are developing national strategies for organics and agroecology. Thirteen nations, including Malawi, are sharing best practices. Building capacity within farmer-led frontline organisations is key to driving change.
• Smith:  A robust body of research demonstrates the economic and ecological benefits of organic and regenerative systems. Such evidence can help shift discussions with policymakers at local and national levels.