Lead author and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Dr Gwen Grelet says RA has international momentum across all parts of the food system.
However, there is an urgent need for clarity about what RA is in a NZ context, as well as a scientific framework for RA research.
“It is not a magic bullet but its grassroots popularity with farmers and food consumers mean it has huge potential for driving the transformation of Aotearoa’s agri-food system, to move our country closer to its goals,” Grelet says.
She says the consultation that took place to produce the paper found many areas of agreement between supporters and sceptics of the farming practices.
“It’s time to stop bickering and focus on identifying any true benefits regenerative agriculture might have for New Zealand,” she said.
The research underpinning the white paper, the result of collaboration and consultation with more than 70 NZ-based organisations and 200 people between June and November 2020, aims to better understand what RA means for NZ and to develop a scientific framework for guiding RA research in NZ.
Discussions with representatives from the dairy, sheep and beef, arable and viticulture sectors about regenerative farming systems focused on aspects such as social wellbeing, soils, integrated circular systems and marketability of regenerative produce.
The most sought-after outcomes included achieving pride in farming, making decisions based on long-term outcomes, increasing profitability and financial expertise rather than merely increasing production, continuous learning and positioning NZ as a world leader in RA.
A review that’s part of the paper found that the NZ agricultural sector is performing well and demonstrating leadership in some respects – but with regard to water, soils and native biodiversity, agricultural activities are contributing to NZ’s environmental and social challenges.
It found that parts of the country are ill-equipped to cope with predicted more frequent and intense drought and flooding, and that such challenges will likely need to be addressed if NZ is to claim to deliver “regeneratively-produced” food and fibre.
Dr Gwen Grelet & Sam Lang | February 22, 2021 from GlobalHQ on Vimeo.
The paper noted that a variety of biophysical aspects sets NZ apart from other countries, including carbon-rich soils, the contrast between NZ native biodiversity and the species supporting its agriculture, and a high propensity to soil erosion.
It recommended that NZ should evolve its own RA narrative based as much on soil carbon retention as on its increase and functionality, the elimination of sediment losses and the development of RA farming systems to foster both “total” and native biodiversity.
An examination of domestic and overseas consumers’ preferences and their willingness to pay extra for specific environmental outcomes suggests RA could increase the export value and overseas marketability of NZ food and fibre produce, although more research is required.
Other research needs are varied, with sector representatives asking for research on RA’s impact on freshwater outcomes, food quality and safety, farmer empowerment and mindset, and long-term viability of whole systems, among others.
Rural professionals consulted highlighted the need for more data to lessen the risk to investment and transition to RA, “conventional-style” practice guides for RA customised for different sectors and NZ contexts and more clarity around the need for a definition or certification for RA.
The paper introduced 11 principles for regenerative farming in NZ, emerging from farmer focus groups, that are applicable to the pastoral, arable and viticulture sectors.
The principles are wide-ranging, including treating the farm as a living system, maximising photosynthesis year-round and harnessing diversity, through questioning everything, learning together and that failure is part of the journey.
Although a succinct definition of RA would be useful for marketing purposes, the white paper refrained from offering a definition for two reasons: the risk of constraining an evolving concept and the need for any NZ definition to be anchored in te ao Maori (the Maori world view).
Work is in progress to identify linkages between te ao Maori cultural concepts and RA concepts.
Research co-lead and manager of the Quorum Sense farmer extension project Sam Lang says the research examined people’s understanding of RA through outcomes, principles, practices and mindset.
“We found that all are important,” Lang said.
“While it is tempting to focus on novel or innovative practices, exploring the influence of farming principles and farmers’ mindsets could be more valuable.”
The white paper acknowledged that developing specific regenerative practice guidance for NZ’s range of primary sector industries and geophysical contexts is a huge challenge, but says it is one that may be necessary.
It identified the current complexity of information or misinformation on RA as a barrier to developing that guidance.
Collaborators involved in the white paper include farmers and growers, researchers, primary industry bodies, banks, retailers, non-governmental organisations, government departments, large corporates, consultants, marketers, overseas researchers and educators.
