Intervention Package 1

Soil fertility and biodiversity loss in global and regional production systems require regeneration and sustainable management to ensure food security. Regenerative agriculture (RA) plays a crucial role in enhancing farming-system resilience by closing the carbon cycle, improving nitrogen- and water-use efficiency, and building soil ecosystem services. RA involves adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change through practices such as rebuilding soil organic matter and biodiversity, optimizing biomass cycling through grazing and cropping patterns, and integrating waste product use for circular economy opportunities. Reducing harmful agrochemicals (in livestock, aquaculture and crops) and protecting and harnessing productive ecosystem services are also important in the RA approach. Developing science-based frameworks, stakeholder engagement, public-private involvement, policy interventions, and payments for ecosystem services are necessary for scaling up successful RA practices in AMS priority production systems.

The degradation of land and aquatic ecosystems in ASEAN necessitates a regional consensus on RA and context-specific approaches. Integrating waste-product utilization can create opportunities for youth and women. Harmonizing chemical residue limits in food and developing coordinated policies, market systems, and capacity are crucial for supporting regenerative agriculture. Lessons from integrated agriculture in different AMS can aid in transforming the food system.

IP1 seeks to support implementing and out-scaling regenerative agriculture (RA) practices, including circular economy principles, soil health and reduced use of harmful agrochemicals, in key agroecological systems in AMS through public-private sector collaboration, multistakeholder platforms and participatory research, and development and implementation of facilitating policies and market systems. 

1. Co-identified RA practices and co-designed digital decision-support tools applied

2. Capacity established and supporting farmers and practitioners to enhance soil health

3. Regional standards and regulations for the safe use of agrichemicals/biological alternatives applied 

4. Joint Impact and Policy Hub promoting RA, soil health, and judicious use of agrochemicals/alternatives

• Agro- and aquatic ecosystems specific regenerative agricultural and circular economy management practices 

• Enhancing soil health and green agriculture through agroecological practices and/or microbial biotechnologies

• Regional standards and regulations for the safe use of agrochemicals and biological alternatives in crop, livestock, and aquatic systems

• Establishment of an ASEAN-CGIAR Joint Impact and Policy Hub for Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, and Judicious Use of Agrochemicals and Biological Alternatives

IP1 will directly benefit farmers, collaborating institutions, market system operatives, cooperatives, and private companies involved in supply chains as well as other value-chain actors and consumers. It will also support national development partners, the local private sector, and policy decision-makers.

Eddie Allison
Intervention Package 1 Convener
WorldFish

E.Allison@cgiar.org