Look after your soil, and your soil will look after you

As global demand for sustainably-farmed produce rises, regenerative farming is shifting from a niche practice to an increasingly important consideration for South African farmers, especially for those who export their produce.

The World Economic Forum reports that regenerative agriculture is the way forward to decarbonise the food system and make farming resilient to climate shocks: Regenerative farming on 40% of the world’s cropland would save around 600 million tons of emissions. This is around 2% of the total, equivalent to the footprint of a small country.

Regenerative farming practices, which focuses on working with nature’s processes and prioritises soil health, biodiversity and reduced chemical use, are taking off in South Africa. While the shift is slower locally than in some other parts of the world, South African farmers will increasingly need to consider it to remain globally competitive, believes Arno Abeln, MD at Agrimark, a leading agricultural retailer and part of the JSE-listed KAL Group.

“South African farmers don’t benefit from the government subsidies common in other countries. They’ve had to find innovative and efficient ways to farm to stay viable. Regenerative practices together with precision agriculture are playing a bigger role, especially as export markets adopt stricter sustainability standards,” says Abeln.

With a national footprint, Agrimark works closely with producers across various subsectors, allowing it to notice an increase in regenerative farming methods across various production crops.

“We’re seeing major investment in these practices among wine, citrus and table grape producers, also in apple, and pear production because export markets are demanding it. It’s less advanced in the grain sector, but we’re starting to see more interest as producers explore ways to improve soil health over the long term. The challenge lies in applying regenerative practices at scale while still maintaining consistent yields. It’s a learning process, and different sectors are at different stages of that journey.”

He says that an interesting trend fuelling the uptick is a mindset shift amongst younger generation farmers.

International studies indicate that farmers who adopt these practices can reduce their input costs by 25-50% over time. This reduction in costs is primarily due to decreased reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Abeln says practical examples like crop rotation and integrated livestock grazing — core principles of regenerative farming — is already entrenched in areas like the Swartland. “A farmer might plant 500 hectares of wheat one year, followed by canola the next, each crop nourishing the soil differently. After harvesting, sheep graze the fields, naturally fertilising the land. It’s a holistic system — and a scientific one.”

Earlier this year Stellenbosch University and SA Wine launched ReGenWine – a three‑year research program testing how integrating cattle into vineyards can improve sustainability, cut costs, and help farms adapt to climate variability.

“Farming is becoming more of a scientific practice every day. We see it in the type of challenges that primary producers are facing at farm level,” says Abeln.

Agrimark plays a key role in bridging the gap between farmers and the growing ecosystem of science-based agricultural services. “We’ve built strong relationships with suppliers across the input value chain — from fertiliser and chemical companies to plant diagnostics specialists. When a farmer faces an issue, we don’t just sell a product; we work with him on-site to understand the problem and coordinate the right expertise.”

He explains that this could involve anything from an on-farm assessment to advanced plant diagnostics, such as carbohydrate leaf tests, which reveal exactly what the plant needs. “It’s about replacing guesswork with data. Many farmers are still using the same fertiliser mix they relied on ten years ago. We help them move to smarter, insight-driven decisions that can improve yield and profitability.”

He adds that Agrimark also offers a wide range of products aligned with regenerative goals — including organic fertilisers, composters, pest management tools, and natural soil enhancers. Agrimark was also the first company in Africa to supply a tractor powered by compressed methane gas.  Next month, the company is a sponsor of the 12^th Jack Human Conservation Agriculture Week in the Western Cape.

“In some regions, like parts of the Northern Cape, soil degradation is a real risk. If we want to keep farming and feeding people, we have to prioritise soil health. As always, it’s about understanding what our customers need – and supporting them as they respond to changing conditions and global market expectations,” Abeln concludes.