Prince of Wales says regenerative farming is the future of food production.
In early August, Prince Charles gave his stamp of approval to regenerative agriculture.
While addressing an international soil conference held in Glasgow, the Prince of Wales said regenerative farming is the future of food production.
“We have to be proactive in encouraging regenerative agriculture, with a diversity of plants and of grazing livestock, replacing lost organic matter through the use of legumes, cover crops, residues and mulches,” he said, as reported by Farmers Weekly.
“Soil is absolutely critical for delivering the ecosystem services on which we all rely. So, it is high time that such an extraordinary, miraculous living organic system… receives the proper attention it deserves.”
A royal endorsement is nice, but Prince Charles may not have the credentials or reputation to convince thousands of farmers to try cover crops or other practices that improve soil health.
It’s more likely that massive food companies, which are pushing or pulling farmers toward regenerative practices, will have a greater influence.
Since about 2019, General Mills, PepsiCo, Cargill, McCain Foods and others have made bold commitments around soil health and regenerative ag, such as:
Cargill wants 10 million acres of American row crops to be farmed regeneratively by 2030.
PepsiCo has a global target of seven million acres, including the oats, corn and potatoes it buys from farmers around the globe.
McCain says 100 percent of its contracted potato acres will be grown with regenerative practices by 2030.
None of the companies have clearly defined regenerative ag, but most agree it’s a set of practices that improve the soil, including minimal tillage, cover crops, a diversity of crops and integrating livestock into the farm. If producers follow such practices, it could reduce the need for fertilizer and other crop inputs, thus making farming more sustainable and possibly more profitable.
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