From soil to supply chains: The business case for regenerative agriculture

evolito

02 September 2025

Agriculture feeds the world, but conventional farming has often come at a cost to soils, water, and biodiversity. As ecosystems weaken under the combined pressures of climate change and intensive land use, a growing number of farmers and businesses are turning to regenerative agriculture.

Unlike approaches that aim only to reduce harm, regenerative agriculture actively restores ecosystems. It improves soil health, supports biodiversity, and strengthens the resilience of farming systems. For companies navigating supply chain risks and new reporting requirements, regenerative agriculture also offers a credible pathway to nature-positive impact.

The role of biodiversity in farming systems

Healthy farms are biodiverse farms. Insects, plants, fungi, and soil organisms provide critical services:

Pollination for crops like fruits, vegetables, and coffee
Nutrient cycling through soil microbes and decomposers
Pest control from natural predators
Climate regulation through carbon storage in soils and vegetation

When biodiversity declines, farms become more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Yields fall, input costs rise, and long-term food security is threatened. Regenerative agriculture addresses this by placing biodiversity at the center.

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Practices that restore ecosystems

Key regenerative practices include:

Cover cropping: Planting cover crops reduces erosion, enriches soil organic matter, and supports insect and microbial diversity.

Crop rotation: Alternating crops prevents nutrient depletion and disrupts pest cycles.

Reduced tillage: Protects soil structure, preserves carbon stocks, and maintains habitats for soil organisms.

Agroforestry and managed grazing: Integrating trees and livestock strengthens ecological balance, increases carbon sequestration, and diversifies income streams.

These practices not only improve soil fertility and water retention, they also create conditions where insects and other species can thrive.

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Measuring impact

One of the challenges of regenerative agriculture is demonstrating its outcomes. Farmers, buyers, and regulators all need data on whether biodiversity and ecosystem health are improving. Traditional biodiversity surveys are resource-intensive and inconsistent.

New technologies provide solutions. In-field sensors, for example, can continuously monitor insect activity as a proxy for ecosystem health. These tools make it possible to measure regenerative outcomes in real time and report them with confidence.

For companies subject to CSRD reporting requirements, such credible data is vital. It enables them to demonstrate compliance, track progress toward sustainability targets, and build trust with investors and consumers.

Business value and resilience

Regenerative agriculture is not only an ecological necessity but also a business opportunity:

It reduces reliance on expensive synthetic inputs by building natural soil fertility.
It strengthens supply chain resilience by protecting yields against climate and pest shocks.
It supports corporate commitments to ESG, CSR, and biodiversity disclosure.
It enhances brand reputation by demonstrating nature-positive impact that consumers increasingly expect.
When linked to carbon and biodiversity credits, regenerative agriculture can also generate new revenue streams, rewarding land stewards for the ecological services they provide.

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Farming for the future

Regenerative agriculture shows how biodiversity and business can align. By restoring soils, supporting insects, and increasing resilience, it helps secure food systems in a changing climate. For farmers, it offers healthier land and reduced input costs. For companies, it provides credible data for compliance and a stronger sustainability story. For society, it delivers climate mitigation and long-term food security.

As regenerative agriculture scales, biodiversity monitoring will be essential to prove impact and ensure trust. With the right tools and collaboration, farming can shift from degrading ecosystems to actively restoring them.

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