Global Application of Regenerative Agriculture: A Review of Definitions and Assessment Approaches

Sadeeka L. Jayasinghe (), Dean T. Thomas, Jonathan P. Anderson, Chao Chen and Ben C. T. Macdonald
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Sadeeka L. Jayasinghe: CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia
Dean T. Thomas: CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia
Jonathan P. Anderson: CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia
Chao Chen: CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia
Ben C. T. Macdonald: CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-49

Abstract: Regenerative agriculture (RA) is an approach to farming pursued globally for sustaining agricultural production and improving ecosystem services and environmental benefits. However, the lack of a standardized definition and limited bioeconomic assessments hinder the understanding and application of RA more broadly. An initial systematic review revealed a wide range of definitions for regenerative agriculture, although it is generally understood as a framework consisting of principles, practices, or outcomes aimed at improving soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem function. To address existing gaps, we propose a working definition that integrates socioeconomic outcomes and acknowledges the significance of local knowledge and context to complement established scientific knowledge. A second systematic review identified indicators, tools, and models for assessing biophysical and economic aspects of RA. Additionally, a third literature review aimed to identify the potential integration of advanced analytical methods into future assessments, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Finally, as a case study, we developed a conceptual framework for the evaluation of the bioeconomic outcomes of RA in the mixed farming setting in Australia. This framework advocates a transdisciplinary approach, promoting a comprehensive assessment of RA outcomes through collaboration, integrated data, holistic frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. By defining, evaluating assessment methods, and proposing a pragmatic framework, this review advances the understanding of RA and guides future research to assess the fit of RA practices to defined contexts.

Keywords: bioeconomic models; framework; indicators; mixed farming; regenerative agriculture; machine learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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