Environmental, economic, and social metrics and trade-offs for regenerative agriculture

This project addresses critical knowledge gaps to ensure that farmers receive sensible and practical guidance. Through on-farm field trials and close collaboration with Swiss regenerative farmers, researchers aim to investigate how these practices can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and enhance soil health while maintaining productivity. At the same time, the work seeks to quantify the environmental, economic, and social synergies and trade-offs involved, providing a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes of regenerative approaches.

Agricultural intensification has diminished the capacity of soils to sustain their functions and deliver essential ecosystem services. This project advances nature-based solutions through regenerative agriculture, a holistic and adaptable approach that prioritizes soil health and social well-being. An interdisciplinary team collaborates with farmers through a living lab approach to develop a scalable framework for assessing the interplay among environmental, economic, and social factors of regenerative agriculture, such as soil health, farm productivity, and farmer well-being. By identifying synergies and trade-offs among environmental impact, economic performance, and social values, the project aims to provide practical, evidence-based insights to support the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Relevance and Expected Outcomes

The project aims to support the development of a roadmap for regenerative agriculture, positioning practices not only by their benefits but also by their feasibility. This includes a range from easily implemented measures to those requiring significant investments in knowledge, equipment, market access, or new farming models. The framework will help illustrate the environmental, economic, and social changes farmers can expect at different stages of the transition. This integrative approach supports informed decision-making in complex agri-food systems and is intended to guide stakeholders toward more sustainable and equitable practices.