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Through this article, Edivan Panisson, Director of Procurement and Sustainability at Ambev, highlights regenerative agriculture as a solution to environmental challenges in farming. He discusses techniques like crop rotation, no-till farming, and integrating trees and animals to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and capture carbon. Panisson also shares Ambev's pilot projects in Argentina and Uruguay, where farmers receive training and resources to implement these practices, emphasising the need for collaboration, support, and education for long-term sustainability.
Agriculture plays a fundamental role in feeding the world's population, and there are numerous initiatives to make it more sustainable. In this context, regenerative agriculture has emerged as an innovative approach that promotes practices that restore ecosystem health, regenerate soil, increase biodiversity, and capture carbon. Techniques used include crop rotation, no-till farming, covering crops, and integrating trees and animals into the agricultural system. These methods help to increase the resilience of land, improving its longterm productivity. Crop rotation, for example, involves alternating different types of plants in the exact location over time, which helps to prevent soil exhaustion and reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. No-till farming, which occurs without soil disturbance (or minimal disturbance), minimises soil disturbance, preserving its structure and promoting water retention. Cover crops, such as legumes and grasses, protect the soil against erosion and enrich its composition with essential nutrients. Furthermore, integrating trees and animals into farms creates more diverse and resilient systems. Collaboration with local entities is a crucial element in making this initiative possible. By working with farmers and regional organisations, industries promote adopting sustainable agricultural practices throughout the supply chain. This reduces the carbon footprint and supports economic development and rural communities. "Regenerative agriculture offers a necessary and viable solution to the environmental challenges faced by conventional farming, promoting long-term sustainability by restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon" At Ambev, for several years, we have been involving dozens of producers in pilot projects in Argentina and Uruguay, where they have access to training and resources that help them implement regenerative agriculture techniques effectively. This results in healthier and more productive crops and, consequently, higher-quality ingredients for our beer. However, the transition to regenerative agriculture is not without its challenges—it requires a significant commitment of time and resources and a change in mindset from farmers and rural communities. Providing ongoing support and education is essential to ensure these practices are adopted sustainably and effectively. For example, we have developed preparation projects with our producers on three main fronts: supplying quality seeds and seedlings obtained from research, disseminating documents that guide them on the best way to manage their crops, and supporting a team of experts who conduct periodic technical visits to farmers. With these actions, regenerative agriculture offers a necessary and viable solution to the environmental challenges faced by conventional agriculture. By restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity and sequestering carbon, these practices promote the long-term sustainability of farmland. The transition to regenerative practices is crucial to creating a more sustainable and environmentally responsible system, benefiting society and the environment. Collaboration between all sectors of society is essential to ensure this transition's success and reap the rewards of a healthier, more balanced planet.