Promoting Regenerative Agriculture in India
Key Points
India is taking significant strides towards promoting regenerative agriculture to enhance the sustainability and climate resilience of its farming systems. This initiative is crucial for UPSC aspirants, particularly for GS Papers 2 and 3, as it addresses key issues in agriculture and climate change. Last Updated: 25-08-2026
Key Facts About Regenerative Agriculture
- Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming approach focused on restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and improving ecosystem functions.
- Unlike sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture seeks to actively improve agricultural systems by rebuilding soil fertility and strengthening biodiversity.
- India's agriculture sector recorded a 4.45% growth rate during FY16–FY25, but intensive cultivation has led to soil degradation.
- Regenerative practices aim to reduce the financial burden on farmers by decreasing the reliance on chemical inputs.
- Regenerative agriculture helps in adapting to climate change by improving resilience against heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
- It contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action), focusing on strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity against climate-related risks.
India's Agricultural Transformation
Regenerative agriculture is pivotal for India's strategic goals of achieving sustainable food security and climate resilience. With a focus on restoring ecological balance, it aligns with India's economic and social objectives, promoting long-term agricultural productivity. India's efforts in this domain are crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in global agriculture, as it seeks to lead in sustainable practices.
Related Government Schemes/Policies
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): Launched in 2024 to support farmers transitioning to natural farming.
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promotes organic farming through financial assistance and market linkages.
- Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Enhances water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation systems.
- Rainfed Area Development Programme (RAD): Promotes Integrated Farming Systems using a cluster approach.
- Agroforestry Component under PM-RKVY: Supports tree-based farming systems and skill development.
- Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme: Provides soil test reports and crop-specific recommendations.
UPSC Relevance
Regenerative agriculture is relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management). In prelims, questions may focus on the definitions, objectives, and key provisions of regenerative agriculture. For mains, essay themes could include sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security.
FAQ Section
What is regenerative agriculture? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that aims to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and improve ecosystem functions to ensure long-term agricultural productivity and resilience.
Why is regenerative agriculture important? It is crucial for addressing soil degradation, reducing input costs, and enhancing climate resilience, thereby supporting sustainable food systems and long-term agricultural sustainability.
What are the key features of regenerative agriculture? Key features include water and resource efficiency, soil and nutrient management, integrated and climate-resilient farming systems, and practices like natural farming and agroforestry.
Detailed Coverage
- Regenerative agriculture restores soil health and enhances biodiversity.
- It actively improves agricultural systems, unlike sustainable farming.
- India’s agriculture grew at 4.45% from FY16–FY25, but faces hidden costs.
- Intensive cultivation and chemicals have led to soil degradation.
- Degraded soils increase dependence on fertilizers and pesticides.
- Climate change poses risks that require resilient farming systems.
- Regenerative practices rebuild soil fertility and restore ecological balance.
- It contributes to SDG 13 for climate action.
- Key practices include micro-irrigation and farm mechanization.
- Nitrogen fertilizer management improves efficiency and reduces emissions.
- Natural farming promotes chemical-free practices and traditional seeds.
- Integrated farming systems maximize resource use and diversify income.
- Government initiatives support the transition to regenerative practices.
- Programs like NMNF and PKVY promote organic and natural farming.
- Regenerative agriculture is vital for achieving sustainable food security.
- It aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.