Regenerative agriculture represents a shift from merely maintaining agricultural productivity to actively restoring the ecological systems that support farming. In India, soil degradation, excessive chemical inputs, water stress, biodiversity loss, rising costs and climate change have increased the need for resilient farming practices.
At its core, regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring soil health, increasing organic matter, improving water retention, supporting biodiversity, reducing environmental degradation and strengthening long-term farm productivity. It differs from intensive agriculture by improving the natural resource base rather than depending on external inputs. It can also reduce input costs, diversify farm income and improve resilience against production risks.
Natural farming is an important practice associated with regenerative agriculture. It reduces dependence on synthetic chemical inputs and encourages biological preparations such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, GhanJeevamrit and Neemastra. It also promotes mulching, multi-cropping, traditional seeds and livestock integration. These practices improve soil biological activity, nutrient cycling and moisture retention.
Agroforestry integrates trees with crops and other agricultural activities. Trees can improve soil structure, reduce erosion, support biodiversity, enhance moisture conservation and store carbon. They can also provide farmers with additional products and income opportunities. This makes agroforestry useful for restoring degraded land and strengthening farm resilience.
Integrated Farming Systems combine crops with livestock, fisheries, horticulture, agroforestry and apiculture. Diversification improves resource use and reduces dependence on a single crop or income source. Integrated systems are particularly valuable in rainfed areas, where irregular rainfall and climate variability create significant production risks.
Efficient water management is another key pillar. Micro-irrigation technologies such as drip and sprinkler systems deliver water more precisely to crops, reducing wastage and improving water-use efficiency. This is increasingly important because Indian agriculture faces groundwater depletion, water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall. Better irrigation management can improve productivity while conserving limited water resources.
Scientific soil management practices, including green manuring, cover cropping and mulching, can increase organic matter, improve soil structure, enhance moisture retention and reduce erosion. Balanced nutrient management can prevent excessive fertilizer application and improve input efficiency. Farm mechanisation can support timely operations, reduce wastage and improve productivity.
Several government initiatives support practices aligned with regenerative agriculture. The National Mission on Natural Farming promotes natural farming through financial assistance, training, capacity building, bio-input availability and farmer clusters. It also supports Bio-input Resource Centres for access to natural farming inputs and guidance.
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana promotes organic farming through financial assistance, certification and market linkages. The scheme encourages reduced synthetic inputs and environmentally responsible farming.
The Per Drop More Crop initiative promotes micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. Financial assistance for water-saving technologies helps farmers improve water-use efficiency and manage agricultural water stress. It is especially relevant to regions facing water scarcity and irregular rainfall.
The Rainfed Area Development programme promotes Integrated Farming Systems in rainfed regions by combining agriculture with horticulture, livestock, fisheries and apiculture. Diversification can improve household income, resource use and climate resilience while reducing risks associated with dependence on a single agricultural activity.
The Agroforestry component under PM-RKVY supports tree-based farming through agroforestry nurseries, quality planting material, research, skill development and carbon-related initiatives. These measures can improve land productivity, ecological restoration and farmer opportunities.
The Soil Health Card Scheme provides farmers with scientific information about soil conditions and nutrient requirements. Crop-specific recommendations encourage balanced fertilizer use and efficient input management. Better understanding of soil fertility helps farmers maintain productive soils for future generations.
Regenerative agriculture is particularly relevant as climate change increases agricultural risks through heatwaves, droughts, floods and irregular rainfall. Healthy soils with higher organic matter and better water-holding capacity can help farms withstand climatic shocks. Diversified systems can further reduce risks by spreading production and income across multiple activities.
The approach also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action by improving climate resilience and adaptive capacity. It can simultaneously support biodiversity, resource conservation, sustainable livelihoods and long-term food security.
However, wider adoption requires sustained farmer awareness, access to quality inputs, scientific guidance, suitable technology, market opportunities and effective institutional support. Regenerative agriculture should combine traditional knowledge with modern science and region-specific solutions rather than relying on a single model.
Overall, regenerative agriculture offers India an opportunity to build farming systems that are productive, economically viable and ecologically resilient. By restoring soil health, conserving water, improving biodiversity, diversifying incomes and reducing excessive dependence on external inputs, natural farming, agroforestry, integrated farming, micro-irrigation and scientific soil management can strengthen agricultural resilience. These practices can contribute to sustainable food security and support India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
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