Introduction

Soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture, influencing food production, water retention, and ecosystem stability. As global concerns about soil degradation and climate change intensify, regenerative farming has emerged as a promising approach to restore and maintain healthy soils. Unlike conventional practices that often degrade soil through chemical inputs, monoculture cropping, and deep tillage, regenerative techniques aim to enhance the biological, physical, and chemical properties of the soil.

Regenerative farming involves a variety of practices, including cover cropping, no-till or reduced tillage, crop rotation, organic amendments like compost, agroforestry, and managed grazing. These techniques work together to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and promote a thriving soil microbiome. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion, add organic material, and improve nutrient cycling. Leguminous cover crops, for example, fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers while enriching the soil naturally. No-till farming minimizes soil disturbance, preserving beneficial microbial communities and preventing the loss of organic carbon to the atmosphere. Over time, this leads to improved soil aggregation and better water infiltration. Crop rotation supports soil health by disrupting pest and disease cycles and enhancing nutrient availability. It allows for the cultivation of deep-rooted plants that break up compacted soils and improve subsoil structure. Meanwhile, compost application increases microbial activity, boosts nutrient content, and enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture—critical in the face of increasing droughts and erratic rainfall patterns. Managed grazing, when carefully controlled, can regenerate grasslands, add nutrients through manure, and promote root growth that stabilizes soil. Together, these practices help build soil organic carbon, a key indicator of soil fertility and resilience. The consequences of these techniques are largely positive. Soils under regenerative management typically show higher organic matter, greater water-holding capacity, improved nutrient cycling, and enhanced biological diversity. These changes not only support healthy crop growth but also reduce the need for external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. While transitioning to regenerative methods may involve short-term challenges, such as learning new techniques or adjusting to different planting cycles, the long-term benefits to soil health are substantial. In the face of climate stress and growing food demands, regenerative agriculture offers a viable pathway toward restoring soil and building resilient farming systems.

Regenerative farming techniques 

Regenerative techniques to maintain soil health include no till or reduced, cover cropping, crop rotation, reduced tillage, composting, agroforestry, rotational grazing, mulching, and integrating livestock. These methods enhance soil organic matter, promote biodiversity, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and support beneficial microbes, leading to resilient, fertile soils and sustainable agriculture. Together, they restore degraded lands and contribute to long-term ecosystem health. Regenerative techniques can be categorised into soil health and fertility, animal integration, crop diversity, water and ecosystem management (table 01).

Table 01

A.  Regenerative techniques to maintain soil health and fertility

i. No-till (or reduced-tillage)

No-till (or reduced-tillage) is a core regenerative practice that enhances soil health and fertility by minimizing soil disturbance. Instead of conventional ploughing, seeds are directly drilled into intact soil covered by the residue of previous crops. This method preserves the soil structure, maintaining stable aggregates and pore spaces critical for water infiltration, root growth, and air circulation. An intact structure also helps suppress erosion by wind and water—no-till fields can reduce soil loss by up to 90% compared to conventional tillage. By keeping crop residues on the surface, no-till systems build organic matter over time. This not only boosts fertility and water-holding capacity but also acts as a carbon sink, sequestering atmospheric CO₂ in the soil. Beneficial microbes, fungi, and earthworms thrive in this environment—enhancing nutrient cycling, forming soil aggregates, and enriching fertility naturally. Additionally, the mulch layer moderates surface temperature and reduces moisture loss, improving drought resilience and reducing irrigation needs. While no-till might sometimes require more herbicide or careful crop selection, its multifaceted benefits—enhanced soil stability, fertility, biodiversity, and climate mitigation—make it a cornerstone of regenerative soil health. No till farming is useful to Protects soil structure and prevents erosion, builds organic matter and locks in carbon, supports thriving soil biology and nutrient cycling and Improves moisture retention and climate resilience.

No till farming

ii. Cover cropping

Cover cropping is a powerful regenerative tool to enhance soil health and fertility by keeping living roots and organic mulch active year-round. It involves planting fast-growing annuals—such as legumes (clover, vetch), grasses (rye, oats), and brassicas (radish, mustard)—during fallow or between cash crops. These plants offer various benefits. Dense root networks anchor soil, while surface cover cushions against rain and wind—reducing erosion by up to 90%. Roots and biomass add 15–30% more organic matter in just a few seasons, boosting fertility, moisture retention, and soil carbon. Legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms (50–150 lb N/acre), while deep-rooted grasses and brassicas recycle phosphorus and potassium from lower soil layers. Living roots feed beneficial microbes and fungi year-round, increasing earthworm presence 2–4 × versus bare fields. A multi-species mix maximizes these synergies, delivering healthier soil, reduced inputs, and improved resilience—making cover cropping a cornerstone of regenerative soil management.

Cover cropping

Figure: Showing benefits of cover cropping

iii. Composting in regenerative farming

Composting in regenerative farming recycles organic waste—food scraps, manure, crop residues—back into the soil, boosting organic matter, structure, and fertility. Rich in slow-release nutrients (N, P, K), compost enhances water retention, reduces erosion, and suppresses pathogens by feeding a diverse soil microbiome, including bacteria, fungi, and worms. It also increases carbon sequestration, turning degraded soils into carbon sinks while cutting methane emissions from landfills. Consequences include healthier, resilient soils requiring fewer synthetic inputs and improved crop yields. Challenges: compost must be mature to avoid pathogens, and its quality must be managed, but the payoff is robust soil health, climate mitigation, and sustainable, regenerative agriculture.

Compost prepared by bio products

iv. Biochar

Biochar is a carbon-rich, porous charcoal made via pyrolysis of biomass under low-oxygen conditions. Incorporated into soil, it enhances structure, aeration, water retention, and nutrient-holding capacity (CEC), reducing leaching and improving drought resilience. It creates habitats for beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal fungi, boosting microbial diversity and nutrient cycling. Biochar also raises pH in acidic soils and binds heavy metals and pathogens. Most importantly, it sequesters carbon for centuries, mitigating climate change and preventing greenhouse gas release. Its consequences: healthier, more resilient soils and improved crop yields, with reduced reliance on synthetic inputs. Caveats include cost, feedstock quality, and correct application rates to avoid pH imbalance or microbial suppression.

Biochar

v. Green manuring

Green manuring is a regenerative farming technique that involves growing cover crops—often legumes like clover or vetch—and ploughing them into the soil while still green to boost soil health. It fixes nitrogen naturally, enhances organic matter, improves structure, porosity, water-holding capacity, and suppresses weeds through rapid canopy cover. As residues decompose, they feed diverse microbes, boost nutrient cycling, reduce erosion and nutrient leaching, and sequester carbon. The outcomes: richer, resilient soil requiring fewer synthetic inputs and supporting higher yields. Drawbacks include time-intensive management, use of land and moisture, risk of nitrogen immobilization or nutrient over-fixation, pest habitat, and delayed benefits if poorly timed. Green manuring involves using fast-growing cover crops that are incorporated into the soil while still green to enhance soil fertility and structure. Here are common plants used for green manuring, categorized by type: Leguminous Plants (Nitrogen-fixers) These plants host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, adding natural nitrogen to the soil:

1. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea)

2. Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

3. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

4. Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum)

5. Lablab (Lablab purpureus)

6. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

7. Mung bean (Vigna radiata)

8. Fava beans (Vicia faba)

9. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

10. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)

Non-Leguminous Plants

These are used for biomass, soil structure improvement, and weed suppression:

1. Mustard (Brassica spp.)

2. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

3. Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

4. Sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense)

5. Oats (Avena sativa)

Crops for green manure

B. Animal Integration in Regenerative Farming and Its Impact on Soil Health 

Integrating animals through regenerative farming techniques—like rotational grazing—plays a crucial role in restoring soil health. Rotational grazing mimics natural herd movements by systematically moving livestock between paddocks. This allows pastures to rest and recover, promoting deeper root systems and improved plant diversity. As animals graze, they naturally fertilize the land with manure, enriching the soil with organic matter and essential nutrients. This boosts microbial activity, enhances soil structure, and increases water retention. Unlike continuous grazing, rotational systems prevent overgrazing and soil compaction, reducing erosion and improving aeration. This method also helps sequester carbon by encouraging the growth of deep-rooted grasses, contributing to climate change mitigation. Over time, soil becomes more resilient, biologically active, and capable of supporting diverse plant and animal life. Incorporating livestock into regenerative practices creates a closed-loop system that regenerates rather than depletes natural resources. The result is healthier soil, improved pasture productivity, and greater ecological balance—making it a sustainable model for future agriculture.

1. Silvo pasture & Pasture Cropping 

Integrating animals with trees and crops creates synergistic systems that profoundly enrich soil health. Silvo pasture, Pasture cropping and bottom-line agriculture techniques positively affect soil health by various ways.

1.  Silvo pasture

This agroforestry practice combines trees, forage, and livestock in the same land unit. Tree roots stabilize soil and increase porosity, reducing erosion and enhancing water infiltration. Leaf litter and root turnover build organic matter, boosting fertility and microbial activity. Soil under silvo pasture holds more water and stays cooler, reducing drought stress and evaporation compared to treeless pastures. As a carbon sink, it stores significantly more CO₂ both above and below ground, contributing to climate mitigation. The shaded environment also produces higher-quality forage—richer in protein and easier to digest—while offering animals protection from heat, lowering stress and fostering resilience 

2. Pasture Cropping

This method involves sowing annual crops directly into perennial pasture without tillage. It maintains year-round soil cover, enhancing structure and promoting robust microbial and earthworm activity. Grazing animals then consume stubble and return nutrients via manure, reducing erosion and fertilizer needs. The system mimics natural ecosystems, reinforcing nutrient cycling, boosting organic matter, and improving water holding capacity.

3. Bottom line Combining trees, perennial cover, crops, and grazing creates a dynamic, multi-layered system that rebuilds soil structure, stores carbon, enhances moisture retention, and increases biological activity—while delivering nutritious forage and resilient landscapes. 

Silvo pasture & Pasture Cropping

C. Crop Diversity: Regenerative Farming Techniques

 Crop diversity is a key component of regenerative farming, directly enhancing soil health. By Polyculture, Agroforestry rotating crops, intercropping, and using cover crops, farmers improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and support a diverse soil microbiome. These practices minimize the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, fostering natural nutrient cycling. Diverse root systems contribute to better water retention and stimulate beneficial microbial activity. Additionally, integrating legumes and deep-rooted plants replenishes nitrogen and improves soil aeration. Over time, this approach restores degraded soils, increases organic matter, and boosts resilience to climate stress. Crop diversity in regenerative farming creates healthier soils and supports sustainable, long-term agricultural productivity. There are several regenerative techniques cooccurred to protect soil health.

1. Polyculture

The practice of growing multiple crop species together, is a core principle of regenerative farming. Unlike monoculture systems that degrade soil over time, polyculture promotes biodiversity both above and below ground. Different plants contribute varied root structures and organic matter, improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient cycling, and supporting microbial diversity. Companion planting and intercropping reduce pest outbreaks naturally, lowering the need for synthetic inputs. Additionally, leguminous crops fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil organically. Regenerative techniques such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage complement polyculture by preventing erosion and increasing soil organic carbon. Together, these practices restore degraded soils, enhance water retention, and boost long-term fertility. Over time, the soil becomes more resilient to drought, flooding, and other climate stresses. Polyculture not only regenerates the land but also ensures ecological balance and sustainable food production.

2. Agroforestry 

Integrates trees and shrubs with crops and livestock, forming a key strategy in regenerative farming. This system mimics natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and enhancing soil health. Tree roots stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and improve water infiltration. Leaf litter and root exudates from trees increase organic matter, feeding soil microbes and boosting nutrient availability. When combined with regenerative practices like cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage, agroforestry further enhances soil structure and fertility. Trees act as windbreaks and shade providers, creating a microclimate that benefits soil moisture retention. Nitrogen-fixing trees, such as acacias, naturally enrich the soil without synthetic fertilizers. Over time, agroforestry systems regenerate degraded land, sequester carbon, and increase resilience against drought and extreme weather. The result is healthier, more fertile soils and sustainable productivity that supports both farming and ecological balance.

Intercropping, the practice of growing two or more crops together, is a key regenerative farming technique that improves soil health. Different crops have varied root structures and nutrient needs, which enhances soil structure and reduces nutrient depletion. Legumes in intercrops fix nitrogen, naturally enriching the soil. This diversity also supports beneficial soil microbes and reduces pests, minimizing chemical input. Combined with regenerative practices like minimal tillage and organic composting, intercropping boosts soil organic matter, increases water retention, and prevents erosion. Over time, it leads to more fertile, resilient, and productive soils that support sustainable agriculture.

Crop rotation is a foundational regenerative farming technique that significantly benefits soil health. By alternating crops seasonally, farmers disrupt pest and disease cycles while balancing nutrient use and replenishment. For example, rotating nitrogen-fixing legumes with nutrient-demanding crops like corn helps maintain soil fertility naturally. This practice improves soil structure, reduces erosion, and enhances microbial diversity. When combined with no-till methods and organic inputs, crop rotation increases organic matter and promotes long-term soil regeneration. Over time, it leads to healthier, more resilient soils that require fewer chemical inputs and support sustainable, high-yield farming systems.

Polyculture farming

Agroforestry

D. Water Ecosystem, Regenerative Farming Techniques 

Healthy water management is essential in regenerative farming, directly influencing soil health and ecosystem stability. Techniques like keyline design and contour farming work with the land’s natural shape to optimize water distribution and prevent soil erosion.

1. Keyline design 

Keyline design involves shaping the land to direct water from valleys to ridges, maximizing infiltration rather than runoff. It rehydrates the soil profile, increases moisture retention, and prevents nutrient leaching. This enhances microbial activity, improves root penetration, and boosts organic matter content—key indicators of fertile, healthy soil.

Keyline design farming 1

Keyline design farming 2

2. Contour farming 

involves planting crops along natural elevation lines. This slows down water flow, reducing surface erosion and promoting even water absorption across the field. Contour rows act as mini water catchments, minimizing topsoil loss and enhancing structure.

Both methods support a balanced water ecosystem, reduce dependency on irrigation, and build resilience against drought and floods. Over time, these regenerative practices restore degraded land, enhance carbon sequestration, and foster biodiverse, living soils capable of sustaining productive agriculture long-term.

Contour farming

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