The Association of Sustainable Agriculture in Poland “ASAP” together with experts from the Climate Coalition and European Carbon Farmers published a list of regenerative practices that help prevent climate change and reduce the sensitivity of farms to the effects of global warming.
Regenerative practices are all activities of farmers that lead to restoring nature’s cycles, improving soil food and water status, increasing biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are an integral part of sustainable agriculture, which refers to all activities reducing the environmental impact of agriculture while retaining its profitability and securing its societal acceptance.
Agriculture, on one hand is a sector that is most exposed to the effects of climate change, but on the other hand it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, actions to stop the climate disaster will also have to be carried out by farmers. In order for them to be effective and efficient, public support for their implementation will be necessary. By changing cultivation techniques, it is possible to increase the amount of carbon absorbed and ensure its permanent storage in soil and biomass, and reduce the leakage of nitrous oxide from soils. Modern methods of animal feeding and breeding will reduce methane emissions. It is in our common interest that it is profitable for farmers to implement these measures.
– said Dr Zbigniew M. Karaczun, Professor at WULS-SGGW, expert at the Climate Coalition.
The most important regenerative practices include:
- precise use of production means such as fertilizers, plant protection products, machines or seeds
- prudent soil management and no tillage
- covering the soil with vegetation all year round by adding cover crops to crop rotation,
- biodiversity development in the field, its outskirts and the entire farm,
- appropriate use of the terrain around the farm, e.g. exclusion from cultivation of those areas that are constantly helpful.
Implementing sustainable agriculture, including regenerative practices, helps farmers obtain higher yields. This is due to improved soil health, mainly due to the increase in organic matter content, added Mateusz Ciasnocha from European Carbon Farmers.
The effects of implementing regenerative practices are not limited to environmental benefits. Meeting the requirements of the EU policy and the food industry in terms of climate sustainability and protection helps improve the competitive position of the farm.
– summed up Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Director of the Association of Sustainable Agriculture in Poland “ASAP”.
The Association of Sustainable Agriculture in Poland “ASAP” is a non-commercial initiative of a group of companies and people representing various sectors of the food chain. The Association undertakes a number of activities to promote, educate and cooperate in the field of sustainable agriculture in Poland.