Malaysia spans approximately 33 million hectares of land, with about 0.83 million hectares (2.5%) suitable for agriculture. However, much of this land has become degraded due to urbanisation, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices. Continuing with conventional agricultural methods may no longer be effective in addressing these growing challenges.
This is where regenerative agriculture comes in. It is an approach that goes beyond sustainability by restoring degraded land and rebuilding soil health, making it more fertile and resilient than before.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture represents a shift away from industrial farming practices toward methods that work in harmony with nature, prioritising the health of ecosystems and soils.
At its core, it is about restoring degraded soils through ecologically grounded management practices such as adaptive grazing, minimal or no tillage, and reduced reliance on pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. These approaches aim to rebuild soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, and create resilient farming systems that sustain both people and the planet.
Introduced in the late 1980s by Robert Rodale, a pioneer in organic farming, regenerative agriculture has now gained attention among major agrifood companies worldwide. It is an evolving framework that bridges the gap between organic and conventional farming systems.
Is Regenerative Agriculture the Same as Organic Farming?
While both regenerative and organic farming share similar goals of protecting the environment and promoting soil health, they differ in their methods and flexibility. Organic farming operates under strict guidelines, for example, banning the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
In contrast, regenerative agriculture focuses on outcomes rather than rigid rules. Its key principles include minimising soil disturbance, enhancing biodiversity, and measuring improvements in soil health and carbon levels.
Regenerative Agriculture as a Practical Bridge Between Conventional and Organic Farming
In other words, as long as farmers can demonstrate measurable positive impacts on soil health, carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience, regenerative agriculture allows flexibility in how these results are achieved.
This makes it a practical bridge between conventional and organic systems, and in many cases, a step forward from traditional organic practices — with an even deeper commitment to regenerating the land.
Why This Matters?
Regenerative agriculture is more than just a trend—it’s an evolving strategy shaped by growing awareness of our planet’s limits. Today, more farmers and food producers are rethinking their approach, realising that agriculture shouldn’t only be about productivity and profit, but also about restoring the environment that sustains it.
Supporting vendors like Forus on ReMeal reflects this same commitment. As a regenerative grocer offering organic vegetables and locally sourced coffee beans, Forus champions farming that works in harmony with nature, nurturing both people and the planet through every product they offer.
Download ReMeal app here to check out Forus.
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