Life is paradoxical. But there is a kind of mutualism that often exists within a paradox. For example, ideas are more powerful than people, but people give ideas their power. And there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. I believe we have reached that point with nature-based farming.
Increasingly, farmers are searching for a better way to farm. The ‘green revolution’ in farming that promised abundance for all has become increasingly industrialised and has developed into an extractive, profit-centric, machine while environmental, social, and in many cases, economic outcomes have deteriorated over the last 60 years as an emergent consequence of the conditions created.
Again, paradoxically, something that was developed to create abundance has created unintended consequences of scarcity and degradation.
Technological innovations and a commodified system
The world is awash with cheap processed carbohydrates and protein in a commodified system that optimises for lowest cost of production and externalises undesirable (environmental and social) costs.
The solution for these undesirable outcomes is often touted as a ‘green-tech’ one; precision nutrition, precision irrigation, renewable energy, AI, new pharmaceuticals, the list goes on. And while better technology is ‘part’ of the answer, I believe it is not ‘the’ answer.
Technology often acts as an enabler, creating better efficiencies. It is not a solution in and of itself, but a tool used to speed up the current paradigm. And while better technology should be part of any response, technological innovations should be implemented with due care, ensuring there are no downsides to health, people, animals or the environment. On its own, technology is the same zebra in a different pair of pyjamas – often a green pair curated to appease market partners.
Farmers often feel trapped in a system which has deteriorated into a linear, one-dimensional, profit-centric, and extractive experience, for the land, animals, and for farmers themselves.
How natural systems can help
While it’s one thing to describe the problem, it’s something else to come up with viable responses to it. This is where natural systems can help. Natural systems develop and evolve over time. They are holistic, decentralised, interdependent, and interconnected, with outcomes dependent on the initial conditions created.
Redesigning the farming system using these features of natural systems can provide better outcomes (financial, social, health, resilience, environmental etc.) based on changing the initial conditions. I believe farmers are increasingly aware that the current system is not working for them and are looking for an alternative pathway. Nature-based regenerative design of the farming system provides a pathway forward for those who are open to exploring the possibilities it provides.
Regenerative is a movement that is transforming farming, agriculture, communities, business, and organisations. Ata Regenerative work with farmers to help with regenerative adoption and implementation and can help you transition to a regenerative future.
For more information on regenerative design, contact us at Ata Regenerative.
Ata Regenerative are at the forefront of regenerative agriculture practice in New Zealand. With 17 years working in the regenerative space and as the Savory Hub for NZ, Ata Regenerative is the only certified Ecological Outcome Verification provider in New Zealand. Ata Regenerative can assist with your transition to farm practice that focuses on the regeneration of soils, increased productivity and biological diversity, as well as economic and social well-being. To find out more, contact us here.
