At an international conference, experts discussed the need for increased funding for regenerative agriculture, emphasizing that a sustainable future for the agri-food sector is only possible with the support of small farmers. Examples of innovative platforms and successful projects show that transparency, collaborative management, and investment can form the basis for global change.
According to Report, during the discussions, representatives from the NGO Global Green Environment Network (GLOGEN) noted that small farmers, who produce about 80% of the world's food, do not receive sufficient financial support despite the huge amounts of funds allocated to the agricultural sector. This is due to the lack of reliable infrastructure, land rights, and transparent data, which creates significant obstacles for investors.
Rashank Badolia, CEO of Green Earth Agro, proposed an innovative solution: uniting small farmers through a platform that allows investors to invest directly, bypassing land rights issues. Badolia stressed that regenerative farming not only helps increase yields but also restores soil fertility and reduces carbon emissions.
"We lease land from small farmers and share profits with them, helping to improve their well-being. Our goal is to create a scalable farming model where local communities benefit from sustainable agricultural practices," Badolia noted.
The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming project in India was cited as a successful example, where local self-help groups actively implement the principles of regenerative agriculture, increasing productivity and profits without the use of chemicals and fertilizers. The SEKEM project in Egypt, which helps small farmers escape poverty through the production of organic and regenerative products, was also mentioned.
"We must make agriculture profitable for all participants in the chain to create conditions for a sustainable future," Badolia concluded, emphasizing the importance of such platforms for global changes in the agri-food system.