As COP29 debates climate change, experts say regenerative farming can offer food security in Global South

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai last year (COP28) marked a significant landmark with the first-ever dedicated day for food.

Another milestone that year was the groundbreaking “Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action,” which was signed by over 150 countries.

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan now underway, food systems advocates are eager to ensure that food and agriculture remain central topics, building on the momentum from COP28 in Dubai.

Amid the spotlight on the intersection of food security, nutrition, resilient agriculture, and climate change came a rather well-timed policy paper prepared jointly by Solidaridad and Observer Research Foundation.

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The paper, authored by experts from Asia and Africa, focuses on the concept on regenerative farming for bolstering food security as well as aiding in the fight against climate change.

What is regenerative farming?

Regenerative farming is an agricultural approach aimed at restoring and enhancing the health of ecosystems while producing food.

Unlike conventional agriculture, which often depletes resources, regenerative practices focus on rebuilding soil health, promoting biodiversity, and capturing carbon.

Cover cropping, reduced tillage, crop rotation, and integrating livestock (think of chicken poo fertilising crops) are some key techniques associated with regenerative farming. These practices collectively work to improve soil organic matter and structure.

This approach is known to enhance carbon sequestration— drawing down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in soil— and thus aid in climate change mitigation efforts.

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Despite its growing popularity, a universal definition of regenerative farming is yet to be established, as practices vary widely depending on regional ecology, crop types, and farming objectives. Experts did emphasise that at an event for the launch of the Solidaridad-ORF report.

Still, advocates emphasise its holistic approach, which benefits not only soil health but also water retention, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.

Through regenerative farming, landscapes can transition towards resilience against climate impacts, offering a sustainable pathway for food security.

Proof of concept in India, Africa

In both India and Africa, regenerative farming pilot projects have shown promising results in improving food security, building resilience to climate change, and empowering rural communities.

For instance, a project in central India, part of the India Sustainable Soy Program, has assisted around 160,000 small-scale farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in enhancing soil health and crop diversity.

This initiative has focused on soil-friendly practices, water management, and bio-based pest control, leading to a significant increase in income for farmers and improved food and nutritional security.

Similarly, in Tanzania’s southern highlands, smallholder coffee farmers have adopted agroforestry and intercropping techniques, supported by organizations like Solidaridad.

These farmers grow fruit trees alongside coffee plants (which are typically standalone crops), improving soil moisture and providing shade, which are critical in the region’s moisture-stressed environment.

By diversifying crops and enhancing nutrient availability, these practices have improved local food security, nutrient availability, and also contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable land management.

Godlove Nderingo, Senior Project Manager, Solidaridad East & Central Africa (Tanzania), one of the authors of the policy brief, said that “The agrobiodiversity-focused activities have improved the nutritional status and income of 22,500 smallholder coffee producers in southern highlands of Tanzania, a region leading in malnutrition prevalence in the country.”

Obstacles to adoption of regenerative farming

Despite it being a practice that has long existed, the adoption of regenerative farming faces significant challenges.

Nderingo highlighted a major hurdle: the initial financial burden on farmers transitioning from conventional methods.

This shift often involves a tradeoff, as regenerative practices can lead to initial yield losses, creating hesitation among farmers who are unable to bear these early fiscal costs.

This financial risk, compounded by the lack of immediate returns, has slowed the adoption rate, especially among smallholder farmers.

In India, bureaucratic barriers complicate the transition. Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, a professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) pointed out that the absence of a central coordinating body makes it difficult to streamline policies and support structures for regenerative farming.

According to her, the lack a nodal agency to coordinate efforts across departments like agriculture, chemicals, nutrition, and health hinders effective policy-making, information dissemination, and support systems for farmers.

Mukherjee stressed that cross-departmental collaboration and a central agency could help drive adoption by providing clear guidelines and support to farmers.

Additionally, almost all experts noted the need for a consumer-driven push toward regenerative agriculture.

Increased demand for sustainably sourced products could incentivise farmers to adopt these practices, creating a market that values regenerative produce.

Can global platforms like G20, COP29 help?

Global platforms offer unique opportunities to address the challenges facing regenerative agriculture and agrobiodiversity on an international scale.

By promoting policies that support small-scale farmers, agrobiodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices, the G20 can set a powerful example for prioritising resilient food systems.

Initiatives like the Matera Declaration, endorsed by world leaders including G20 ministers, stress the need to integrate traditional knowledge with advanced agricultural practices to meet the zero hunger goal.

Meanwhile, the significant COP29 forum holds the potential to gather funding and attention for this philosophy.

Kaushal Bisht, from Gurugram-based climate-tech startup Varaha, pointed to some positives that have come out of COP, expressing some optimism about what it might do for regenerative farming.

By facilitating cross-border collaborations, sharing resources, and encouraging private sector participation, COP29 can support a global shift towards agricultural systems that enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen rural livelihoods.