Futureproofing by regeneration

Modern intensive farming practices have led to an alarming depletion of soils; globally, approximately 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost each year (UNCCD), and 34% of arable land is degraded (FAO, 2021). This not only threatens our ability to produce enough food but also diminishes the soil’s capacity to act as a carbon sink, threatens biodiversity, and jeopardizes our water resources. At the same time, climate change—with increased weather instability (extreme heat, irregular rainfall, droughts – according to IPCC)—creates an unpredictable situation for farmers. Shifting growing zones, new pests, and increased pressure on water resources pose systemic risks to food security.
In this challenging landscape, regenerative agriculture and Holistic Management serve as proven and vital adaptation strategies. Through principles such as minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, increased biodiversity, and integrated livestock, soil health and ecosystems are restored. This builds resilient farming systems better able to withstand extreme weather. Research shows that regenerative methods enhance ecosystem processes (water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow, and biological functions), which can increase soil carbon content while maintaining or improving yields. Economically, these methods can reduce farmers’ dependence on costly inputs, with potential for 45–75% lower costs for fertilizers and pesticides, thereby improving long-term profitability.
Unlike “sustainability,” which is sometimes perceived as limiting, the regenerative and holistic perspective offers a positive and forward-looking vision of actively improving the environment. This narrative—focused on soil health, biodiversity, and clean food—attracts both consumers and, above all, the next generation of farmers.
If modern regenerative agriculture combines environmental commitment, planetary stewardship, and profitability with advanced technologies (AI, IoT, robotics), data-driven optimization, and innovation, the hypothesis is that it will make the industry appealing to new groups—such as young entrepreneurs.
At Envolve, we will systematically explore how Halland can implement this “future-proof agriculture.” We will integrate regenerative principles with new technologies—for example, AI analysis of field data via smartphones to decentralize tools and give farmers direct insights and follow-up capabilities. An important component will also be understanding how knowledge of these methods can best reach and be adopted by various groups within agriculture.