Synthetic Intervention: Yes, it IS part of regenerative farming

PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa - Nov. 1, 2022 - PRLog -- Regenerative agriculture is and should be for everyone, from the commune to the commercial. And it doesn't mean abandoning everything you've ever learned and burning all the synthetic fertiliser you bought for the season (please don't). In fact, there is a place for the use of synthetic intervention in regenerative farming.

It all comes down to a question of context

Every farm is different, every crop, and every nutrition/spray program is different, so you need to be able to adapt where necessary. With thousands of soil types, growing zones, rainfall levels, markets and cultures, there's no one-size-fits-all suite of regenerative practices that will work everywhere. We need to honour and encourage local experimentation and meet farmers where they are in their respective journeys.

Choosing the best of the bunch

These days, chemical companies are under massive pressure to produce environmentally safe or soft outcomes. All pesticides are colour-coded based on their rating of toxicity etc. This allows the discerning farmer to choose a soft option to do the job.

And, trust me, as you regenerate your soil, your need for synthetic chemical inputs will lessen and ultimately slip away. You'll no longer pay for chemical inputs or irrigation if you don't have to, and you won't have to if your soils and soil biologies are replenished and thriving.

Regeneration is either happening, or it's not

An important thing to remember is that regeneration is objectively measurable: it's either happening, or it's not. If you're starting to see long-term improvements in above and below-ground biodiversity, soil organic matter, water retention and soil structure, well done—you're now a regenerative farmer, no matter how small the change may seem for now! With this regeneration comes real hope for water and food security, the conservation of natural biodiversity, and maintaining a livable planet in the face of the climate crisis.

Do it your way

The transition to regenerative farming should be empowering, not overwhelming. And it's just that—a transition; a balance between ensuring yield quality and quantity while improving soil health and long-term sustainability. If you need guidance on the technologies, processes and products that can help you adopt regenerative farming practices in your own time and on your own terms, please feel free to send me an email: Justinp@zylemsa.co.za.

About the author

Justin Platt is the Founder & CEO of Zylem (https://www.zylemsa.co.za/) and RegenZ (https://regenz.co.za/). Justin has a BSc in Plant Pathology and Botany from UKZN.