AGRI-PULSE – NORTH WEST - Regenerative agriculture is the way forward to decarbonise the food system and make farming resilient to climate shocks.
“South African farmers have to find innovative and efficient ways to farm to stay viable.
Regenerative practices together with precision agriculture are playing a bigger role, especially as export markets adopt stricter sustainability standards,” says Arno Abeln, Managing Director at Agrimark.
Regenerative farming practices prioritises soil health, biodiversity and reduced chemical use and South African farmers will increasingly need to consider it to remain globally competitive.
Agrimark has noticed an increase in regenerative farming methods across various production crops. “We’re seeing major investment in these practices among wine, citrus and table grape producers, also in apple, and pear production because export markets are demanding it. It’s less advanced in the grain sector, but we’re starting to see more interest as producers explore ways to improve soil health over the long term. The challenge lies in applying regenerative practices at scale while still maintaining consistent yields. It’s a learning process, and different sectors are at different stages of that journey.”
Abeln adds that there is definitely a mindset shift amongst younger generation farmers as international studies indicate that farmers who adopt regenerative farming practices can reduce their input costs by 25-50% over time. This reduction in costs is primarily due to decreased reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Abeln says practical examples like crop rotation and integrated livestock grazing is already entrenched in areas like the Swartland. “A farmer might plant 500 hectares of wheat one year, followed by canola the next, each crop nourishing the soil differently. After harvesting, sheep graze the fields, naturally fertilising the land. It’s a holistic system - and a scientific one.
“Farming is becoming more of a scientific practice every day. We see it in the type of challenges that primary producers are facing at farm level,” says Abeln. “It’s about replacing guesswork with data. Many farmers are still using the same fertiliser mix they relied on ten years ago. Agrimark helps them move to smarter, insight-driven decisions that can improve yield and profitability.” This includes products aligned with regenerative goals - organic fertilisers, composters, pest management tools, and natural soil enhancers.
Agrimark was also the first company in Africa to supply a tractor powered by compressed methane gas.
“In some regions, degradation is a real risk. If we want to keep farming and feeding people, we have to prioritise soil health,” Abeln concludes.
