More than a third of the world’s land is used for agriculture. This highlights why agriculture is such a powerful tool for climate and soil protection, biodiversity, and the preservation of rainforests. Looking beyond the immediate horizon to the future of food production is therefore becoming increasingly important. We present some of the pieces of the puzzle that make up this future.
Organic farming has fed humanity for thousands of years. Modern organic farming refers to a method of production that produces food in an environmentally friendly way by avoiding the use of pesticides, genetically modified plants or animals, and synthetic fertilizers. The humane treatment of farm animals is also usually part of the organic philosophy.
Organic farms come in various forms and sizes: from large-scale to small-scale operations, and from those that rely heavily on manual labor to those that rely heavily on machinery.
One approach that is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in vegetable farming, is bio-intensive gardening. This method involves combining various vegetable varieties in mixed crops—usually planted densely—with a particular focus on building up organic matter and maintaining fertile, loose soil. This method also often deliberately avoids plowing (“no-dig gardening”). Using this method, even relatively small plots can yield high fruit and vegetable harvests.
The frequently cited spurious argument that a growing global population cannot be fed biologically
does not hold up to closer scrutiny . When we take into account all the current crises facing our world—soil, climate, water, insects, as well as social crises, etc.—it becomes clear that diverse, soil-conserving organic farming is a vital part of the solution to these crises.
Regenerative agriculture places particular emphasis on maintaining long-term soil fertility without relying on purchased fertilizers. Nutrients are kept within the farm’s own cycles and regenerated (e.g., by plants fixing carbon and nitrogen in the soil).
Regenerative agriculture primarily strengthens soil life. It builds up humus, which results in healthy soils and robust plants. These plants are also better equipped to withstand increasing climate impacts, such as drought, storms, and hail.
Green manuring, maintaining continuous ground cover, and closely monitoring soil life, plant growth, and root development are all part of this approach. In regenerative agriculture, crop farming and livestock raising are often combined.
Climate-neutral agriculture aims to fully offset greenhouse gas emissions—such as those generated by livestock farming or production processes—through other agricultural practices, such as building up soil organic matter or creating ecological compensation areas.
Soil rich in humus, wetlands, and peatlands (which can be managed or restored through paludiculture, for example) are considered important carbon sinks in agricultural systems. The use of biochar (black earth / terra preta) is also seen as having potential for climate protection in the future.
Agroforestry systems thrive on diversity: on a single piece of farmland, trees are combined with annual crops—such as grains or vegetables—or livestock. This combination leads to a variety of positive interactions, benefiting water and nutrient cycles in particular, as well as insects and other animals, thanks to the improved habitat it provides.
During hot spells, plants and animals also experience much less heat stress here, as trees provide shade for the ground and their evaporation has a cooling effect.
Agroforestry areas can also store large amounts of rainwater and deliver nutrients to deeper soil layers thanks to the trees’ deep root systems. The soil remains permanently covered and is protected from the wind by the trees, which helps prevent soil erosion.
Permaculture is about “sustainable culture.” The concept of survival is thus already embedded in the name. The term and its central principle—“Care for the Earth, care for people, share the surplus”—were coined in the late 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.
Permaculture involves designing and managing land according to specific principles, often derived from nature. Livestock—just like wildlife—can be part of permaculture-designed areas. Biodiversity, wilderness areas, mixed cropping, the efficient use of water and energy, the principle of short supply chains, solidarity, and cooperation all play important roles. Permaculture isn’t just about food; it encompasses the entire way of life (e.g., energy, transportation, clothing, etc.).
Syntropic agriculture (according to Ernst Götsch) also takes nature as its model. The goal is to use human management of syntropic agricultural ecosystems to regenerate degraded soils even faster than would be possible through purely natural processes.
Soil health, microclimate, and water cycles are therefore given special attention. That is why trees and shrubs are also part of the system. They are pruned regularly. The pruned material is used as mulch to improve soil structure.