The global regenerative agriculture market is set for a major take-off, propelled by increasing demand for sustainable food production, the importance of reducing the effects of climate change, and growing public awareness of the benefits of regenerative agriculture
Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 6 billion global market for regenerative agriculture in 2023 is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.
Regenerative agriculture is a farming and land management approach oriented towards developing sustainable food production systems that improve environmental health.
Brainy Insights estimates that the market, valued at $6 billion in 2023, will reach $24.27 billion by 2033. Regenerative agriculture is centred on preserving, restoring, and managing healthy soil, with practices such as cover cropping, pasture cropping, and varied crop rotations contributing to the restoration of biodiversity. The objectives of regenerative agriculture include reducing chemical inputs, saving water, and using holistic management techniques.
The global population is growing, making sustainable food production a necessity. Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a solution to meet this demand while reducing the effects of climate change.
The growth of regenerative agriculture is supported by solid research and educational institutions, along with a legislative framework that promotes its acceptance. The availability of finance, technology, and expertise, as well as the advocacy of forward-thinking farmers and organisations, are also contributing to the expansion of regenerative agriculture.
In terms of market categories, the practice segment is divided into agroecology, aquaculture, biochar and terra preta, agroforestry, no-till and pasture cropping, holistically managed grazing, silvopasture, and others. In 2023, agroforestry dominated the market with a 37 percent market share and revenue of $2.22 billion. The application segment is divided into soil and crop management, biodiversity, operations management, and other categories.
In India, thought leaders, activists, and innovators joined IDH and Better Cotton, the largest cotton sustainability programme globally, to establish a consensus on the benefits and extent of regenerative agriculture and pinpoint areas for policy, business, finance, and research action. The purpose of the New Delhi event was to foster innovation and teamwork and create an environment that supports regenerative agriculture in India.
Growing public knowledge about regenerative agriculture is also driving its popularity, with consumers becoming more aware of the negative effects of conventional agricultural practices on the environment and human health.
Additionally, the need to address climate change and its effects on agriculture and worldwide environmental concerns has prompted a move towards sustainable agricultural methods. Regenerative agriculture is an efficient technique for sequestering carbon, which aligns with efforts to mitigate climate change.
However, regenerative agriculture's comparatively high cost restricts its widespread adoption. The approach is more expensive than conventional agriculture, requiring specialised infrastructure, intricate manufacturing processes, and significant research and development expenditures. Most landowners and those engaged in agriculture are small-scale, marginal farmers with little financial resources.
Overall, the growth of the regenerative agriculture market is expected to continue over the next decade, spurred by the increasing demand for sustainable food production, the importance of reducing the effects of climate change, and the growing public knowledge about the benefits of regenerative agriculture.