Transitioning beyond traditional methods in agricultural production: Regenerative agriculture

Abstract

Purpose: It is known that traditional farming methods contribute to environmental issues such as excessive use of natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, soil conservation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. Regenerative agriculture, which is one of the solutions proposed to mitigate these negative effects and leave a healthy world for future generations, is an agricultural production approach that aims to improve soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services by reducing reliance on external inputs, enhancing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration. This study aims to explore the definitions of the regenerative (renewable) agriculture concept, examine the historical development of research on regenerative agriculture, and elucidate the goals of regenerative agriculture and its relationship with sustainability. Design/Methodology/Approach: In line with this objective, secondary data and literature-based findings were systematically reviewed, and studies on the definition, objectives, and scope of regenerative agriculture were examined in detail. Findings: The study concludes that the primary goals of regenerative agriculture are to develop soil conservation systems, increase nutrient levels in the soil, improve soil structure, and enhance biodiversity. The number of studies on regenerative agriculture has significantly increased, particularly in the last decade. The research indicates that this approach facilitates adaptation to climate change, contributes to sustainability in agricultural production, and has positive effects on environmental sustainability and future agricultural supply security. Adopting the regenerative agriculture approach and applying environmentally friendly agricultural production techniques could lead to more sustainable agricultural production. Originality/Value: Most literature focuses on the regenerative agriculture concept and the improvement of soil quality within this framework. In this study; the definitions of regenerative agriculture, the historical development of literature on regenerative agriculture, and the elucidation of regenerative agriculture's goals and its relationship with sustainability distinguish this study from others.

Keywords

• Regenerative agriculture
• sustainability
• agricultural production
• soil health

Tarımsal üretimde geleneksel yöntemlerin ötesine geçiş: Rejeneratif tarım

Abstract

Amaç: Geleneksel tarım yöntemlerinin, doğal kaynakların aşırı kullanımı, sera gazı emisyonu, toprak sağlığı, toprak korunması, toprak erozyonu, biyoçeşitlilik kaybı ve su kirliliği gibi bazı çevresel sorunlara neden olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu negatif etkileri azaltmak ve gelecek nesillere sağlıklı bir dünya bırakmak için ortaya atılan çözümlerden biri olan rejeneratif tarım; toprak sağlığını, biyolojik çeşitliliği ve ekosistem hizmetlerini iyileştirmeyi amaçlayan, dışsal girdilere bağımlılığı azaltarak karbon tutulumu gibi ekosistem hizmetlerini artıran bir tarımsal üretim yaklaşımıdır. Bu çalışmada rejeneratif (yenileyici) tarım kavramına ilişkin yapılan tanımlar, rejeneratif tarım ile ilgili yapılan çalışmaların tarihsel gelişiminin incelenmesi, rejeneratif tarımın neyi amaçladığı ve sürdürülebilirlik ile ilişkisinin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Tasarım/Metodoloji /Yaklaşım: Bu amaç doğrultusunda, ikincil verilere ve literatüre dayalı bulgular sistematik olarak incelenmiş ve rejeneratif tarımın tanımı, amaçları ve kapsamları üzerine yapılan çalışmalar detaylı bir şekilde ele alınmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmada, rejeneratif tarımın temel amaçlarının; toprak koruma sistemlerinin geliştirilmesi, topraktaki besin maddesi miktarının artırılması, toprak yapısının iyileştirilmesi ve biyoçeşitliliğin artırılması olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Rejeneratif tarımla ilgili yapılan çalışmaların sayısı, özellikle son on yılda belirgin bir şekilde artmıştır. Yapılan araştırma sonucunda bu yaklaşımın, iklim değişikliğine uyumu kolaylaştırdığı, tarımsal üretimde sürdürülebilirliğin sağlanmasına, çevresel sürdürülebilirlik ve tarımın gelecekteki arz güvenliğini sağlama üzerine olumlu etkilere sahip olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Rejeneratif tarım yaklaşımının benimsenmesi ve çevre dostu tarımsal üretim tekniklerinin uygulanması ile daha sürdürülebilir bir tarımsal üretime ulaşabilmek mümkün olabilecektir. Özgünlük/Değer: Literatürdeki çalışmaların çoğunun, rejeneratif tarım kavramını ve bu kavram kapsamında toprak kalitesinin artırılmasını incelediği belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada; rejeneratif tarım kavramına ilişkin yapılan tanımların, rejeneratif tarım ile ilgili yapılan literatür çalışmalarının tarihsel gelişiminin incelenmesi, rejeneratif tarım amaçları ve sürdürülebilirlik ile ilişkisinin ortaya konulması diğer çalışmalardan farklılık göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Rejeneratif tarım
• sürdürülebilirlik
• tarımsal üretim
• toprak sağlığı

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