Regenerative agriculture is increasingly being discussed as a concept for the future of farming and it is one that places soil health at its core. The goal is to stabilize soil functions and, in light of climate change, ensure yield security under increasingly variable conditions. A broad mix of tools allows farmers to adopt individual components or implement the entire system. Due to its growing relevance, regenerative agriculture will also be a key topic at AGRITECHNICA 2025.

Agriculture faces a range of challenges: climate change, with more frequent extreme weather events such as drought and heavy rainfall, is having a significant impact on land use. At the same time, resources must be conserved, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and biodiversity loss halted. These developments – combined with strict EU regulations such as the reduction of crop protection ingredients and fertilizers – are prompting the industry to explore new farming systems. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly being considered as a response to these complex challenges.

This concept puts soil health at the center, aiming to stabilize soil functions and, on that basis, secure yields under changing conditions. Many farmers see regenerative methods as a way to adapt to the effects of climate change.

What makes regenerative agriculture promising is its aim to align greater sustainability in farming with the preservation of productivity. However, what exactly is regenerative agriculture? An official definition does not as yet exist.

Still, practices such as reduced tillage, permanent soil cover, diverse crop rotations, and intensive cover cropping are widely recognized as core elements. The goal is to promote soil biology and humus formation, thereby improving soil functions.

The lack of a fixed definition also allows practitioners to gradually adopt regenerative agriculture. Depending on local conditions, farmers can apply selected elements of the system. This step-by-step approach is well suited to real-world farming, where regenerative agriculture is often seen as a process of continuous experimentation and adaptation to site-specific needs.

At the heart of regenerative agriculture is the enhancement of soil health and fertility. This requires regular soil testing to monitor conditions. Minimal soil disturbance through reduced tillage helps prevent erosion and soil degradation, increases the soil’s water absorption and retention capacity, preserves organic matter, and improves soil structure through more roots and a diverse soil life. Since less time is needed for fieldwork, optimal sowing dates can also be better met.

2. Permanent Soil Cover

Permanent soil cover through plant residues and/or living plants protects the soil from direct sunlight, wind, and water erosion, and reduces water evaporation. Soil life is promoted as more food is available for macro- and microorganisms. Combined with reduced tillage, this leads to a soil structure that can absorb more water during heavy rainfall and make it available to plants during dry periods.

3. Diverse Cropping Systems

More diverse crop rotations are a key element of regenerative agriculture. They help maintain soil fertility and health, improve soil structure, suppress weed growth, increase resistance to pests and diseases, build humus, and mobilize and release nutrients. A diverse cropping system can also include cover crops, undersowing, intercropping, perennial crops, agroforestry, and landscape elements such as hedgerows and shrubs.

4. Maintaining Living Roots Year-Round

Regenerative agriculture relies on plant diversity and root systems through permanent and varied vegetation, as root exudates are a major contributor to humus formation and feed soil biology. A more active soil life can also act as a natural antagonist to phytopathogenic fungi, potentially reducing the need for crop protection products. Cover crops are a key component for year-round root presence. They protect against erosion, build organic matter, promote soil biodiversity, and—if legumes are used—fix nitrogen. This makes them a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture.

5. Integration of Livestock

Regenerative agriculture integrates livestock into the cropping system in a way that closes nutrient cycles, promotes soil life, and ideally maximizes animal welfare through pasture-based systems. Organic fertilizers play a key role, as regular organic fertilization helps maintain humus levels and soil functions.