Regenerative agriculture secures food systems in Africa

From the newsletter

Global food systems researchers stress that regenerative agriculture is crucial for securing food systems and improving nutrition in Africa amid climate change. Rising carbon dioxide levels are undermining African food security by reducing crop yields and diminishing the nutritional value of key staple crops. 

• Regenerative agriculture is a farming approach that restores and enhances soil health and water resources.

• The primary benefit of regenerative agriculture is the promotion of agrobiodiversity through practices such as crop rotation, habitat restoration and natural pest control, resulting in resilient ecosystems.

More details

• The Observer Research Foundation and Solidaridad Network have released a comprehensive report detailing how regenerative agriculture enhances local food systems, improves nutrition, and builds resilience in rural Africa. The report examines the significance of agro-biodiversity, the benefits of regenerative agriculture for small farmers, the challenges that arise, potential pathways for effecting change, success stories from Africa, and recommendations for further action.

• According to the report, the primary value of regenerative agriculture lies in its capacity to restore and enhance soil health. By increasing organic matter and promoting microbial diversity, it boosts soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and water retention, resulting in more productive farms. Regenerative practices also protect biodiversity through methods such as crop rotation, habitat restoration, and natural pest control, which reduce reliance on harmful pesticides and foster resilient ecosystems.

• Water conservation is another significant benefit. Techniques like cover cropping and minimal tilling improve water infiltration, reduce soil erosion, and limit pollutant runoff. When coupled with effective irrigation and watershed management, these practices help preserve water resources. Furthermore, regenerative agriculture contributes to climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon in the soil, which slows global warming while creating resilient agro-ecosystems that are better equipped to adapt to droughts, floods, and other climate pressures.

• The greatest advantage of regenerative agriculture is its promotion of agrobiodiversity. In Africa, the decline in agricultural biodiversity threatens food and nutritional security for over 1.3 billion people. Smallholder farmers, who comprise the majority of food producers, play a crucial role in maintaining this biodiversity. A lack of diverse farming systems makes crop yields more vulnerable to climate stresses, resulting in less nutritious food and exacerbating the burden of malnutrition across the continent.

• Monoculture practices degrade soil health and diminish ecosystem resilience, further jeopardising long-term food security. In Africa, where 278 million people are undernourished, the lack of access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods underscores the importance of agrobiodiversity. Increasing the variety of crops grown helps build resilience against environmental challenges while improving access to healthier, more nutritious food. This strategy is essential for addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable farming systems in the region.

• Agrobiodiversity offers numerous advantages by promoting a range of plants, animals, and microorganisms in agriculture. It enhances nutrient availability and dietary diversity, with traditional crops like millets and pulses supplying essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and calcium. These crops are also more resilient to harsh environmental conditions. Agrobiodiversity supports ecosystem resilience, making farms less vulnerable to pests and climate variability while preserving traditional knowledge systems. This approach fosters sustainability, strengthens cultural identity, and helps reduce malnutrition in rural communities.

Our take

• The efficacy of regenerative farming has been demonstrated to enhance resilience to drought while also lowering malnutrition rates in Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Zambia, Biodiversity-rich farming systems in Ethiopia have shown improved drought resilience and reduced malnutrition rates, providing access to foods rich in micronutrients and protein.

• In Eastern Rwanda, diversified cropping systems on smallholder farms have proven effective, maintaining yields that are 20-40% higher than those of monocultures, even during drought conditions. Farmers practising mixed cropping with millets and legumes experienced fewer crop losses compared to those cultivating water-intensive crops like rice.

• Trials involving maize grown in rotation with doubled-up legumes in Zambia have improved food security for smallholder households while increasing overall farm yield. Moreover, mulching and cover cropping practices have enhanced water retention in semi-arid regions, reducing irrigation needs by 25%.