How will I benefit?

How will I benefit from the switch to regenerative agriculture?

We hear a lot about sustainable agriculture and food production. What if we could produce food while not only trying to preserve what we have, but also improving the soil as a result of our work? Regenerative farming, or soil regeneration farming as it is more commonly known in our country, offers us a way to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, sequester carbon in the soil and make our farms more profitable.

Regenerative agriculture is based on five main guidelines, using nature's patterns:

Moderate the soil physical, biological and chemical tangle, we leave the ploughing. We aim to gradually reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers.

The soil with vegetation or natural materials cover. Instead of ploughing the soil, in regenerative practice we till and sow cover crops, which are not harvested and sold, but have other benefits: soil improvement, water retention, weed suppression, nutrient accumulation and soil erosion control.

Increase plant diversity. Variety makes soils healthier, helps retain water and nutrients, can create new sources of income and supports pollinating insects. On regenerative farms, we rotate crops, intercrop different cover crops, use a diverse cover crop in the orchard border, and promote a rich species composition in pastures.

We provide a living root system in the soil for as long as possible. The plant root system provides a habitat and energy source for soil micro-organisms. Roots stabilise the soil and keep nutrients and water in circulation so they are not lost. Soil regeneration farmers achieve this mainly by sowing cover crops outside the growing season.

Integrating animal husbandry into our economy. Animal manure provides valuable nutrients, reducing the need to use fertilisers. Staggered grazing on permanent pasture provides the opportunity to sequester large amounts of carbon and retain water, while reducing the overall environmental impact of the farm and reducing stormwater run-off. The practice of grazing cover crops before the main crop is sown is becoming increasingly common.

The points above as principles of soil health is often mentioned. By following these guidelines and using the right techniques, we can create social, environmental and economic benefits.

What are the ecological and social benefits of regenerative agriculture?

Improving soil health and fertility while increasing farm productivity

Soil can filter and retain water, reducing drought and flood damage, while reducing erosion and stormwater run-off from the land

More nutrients will be available to plants and the disease-suppressing capacity of soils will increase, with less need for increasingly expensive fertilisers and pesticides.

We produce nutrient-rich, residue-free food

Regenerative farms sequester large amounts of carbon from the air and store it in the soil, reducing the harmful effects of climate change.

The carbon stored in the soil is related to the humus content of the soil and is of great importance for soil biota, soil structure, water and nutrient management.

Increasing ecosystem biodiversity and resilience

Everything is connected in the soil and in the whole ecosystem. A careful farmer is able to see these interconnections and act with the whole system in mind. One indicator of success is that the services provided by a healthy soil ecosystem take many of the burdens off the shoulders of the farmer. Another indicator of success in regenerative farming is higher profitability with reduced costs.

What are the economic benefits for the farmer from soil renewal?

In addition to the social and ecological benefits, it is important for farmers that the switchover is also economically viable. The following factors affect the increase in farm profitability:

On healthier soils with better water balance, we achieve higher yields or produce the local average at lower cost,
We produce better quality feed,
Reduced exposure to increasingly resistant pests,
Drought and inland water damage is decreasing,
We save on the cost of fertilisers and pesticides,
By using less machinery, we achieve a significant reduction in fuel costs.

The condition of our farmland is constantly deteriorating due to intensive farming practices. The benefits listed above are not only significant in the short term, but will also have a major impact on the living conditions of future generations. We want to leave our children a farmland that is rich and full of life.

Fortunately, regenerative agriculture is becoming more and more widespread in our country, so farmers have access to a wide range of sources for the technological elements needed to make the transition. Machinery manufacturers and input material traders are also increasingly thinking about the needs of farmers who are no longer ploughing.

Our association is the most experienced professional organisation in Hungary, where you can get the knowledge you need to make the transition. We enable the spread of regenerative agriculture in the Carpathian Basin and the revitalisation of our productive soils through a multi-level educational programme, community organisation, professional open days and farm visits.