Biotechnology and Regenerative Agriculture: The alliance for the future of farming
Regenerative Agriculture aims to restore agricultural ecosystems through healthier soils, resilient crops, and systems that capture carbon, generate income, and address the challenges of climate change.
In Spain, agriculture plays a central role both in land use and environmental impact. The utilized agricultural area exceeds 23 million hectares—almost half of the national territory—of which around 17 million are cultivated lands. However, this sector also faces a major sustainability challenge: in 2022, Spain was the third European country with the highest greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, only behind France and Germany, according to the European Environment Agency. Almost half of these emissions come from fertilizer use and soil management, while the other half is associated with livestock.
In this context, Regenerative Agriculture emerges as an approach that goes beyond production, aiming to restore and improve agricultural ecosystems. While there is no officially established definition of Regenerative Agriculture, the term generally refers to principles or agricultural practices designed to improve the environment overall, with a strong focus on enhancing soil health and the ecosystem services provided by farming systems.
On this World Agriculture Day, celebrated on September 9, the conversation around sustainability, productivity, and adaptation to climate change highlights Regenerative Agriculture as a key element. Jordi Arnalte Olloquequi, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability at Bayer CropScience, explains how the company is driving innovations that support this approach. A clear example is the launch of oilseed crops such as CoverCress™ and Camelina, which not only help improve soil health by increasing organic matter but also act as cover crops with the potential to store carbon. “These types of seeds, in addition to improving the soil, can be harvested as biofuel, thus providing a double environmental and economic benefit,” notes Arnalte.
In a context marked by droughts, pests, and degraded soils, Bayer works on two fronts: implementing regenerative practices to restore soil fertility, and developing hybrid seeds more resilient to extreme conditions, such as increased water salinity.
The AseBio partner also advocates for the role of New Genomic Techniques (NGT) as a fundamental tool for advancing more productive and sustainable agriculture. However, the European regulatory framework remains a barrier. “The current EU framework is not aligned with scientific progress and hinders innovation in the agri-food sector. It is urgent to align with countries that already have science-based regulations and clearly distinguish between GMOs and plants edited using NGT,” he asserts.
The benefits of regenerative practices are already visible in the field. Arnalte shares examples in citrus crops where the introduction of cover crops has promoted natural pest control by supporting beneficial organisms, as well as improved water retention and increased soil organic matter.
Circular economy principles are also part of this approach. One example is a project developed with Novamont, which enabled testing in Bayer’s Almería centers of the first organic raffia and clips to guide crop growth. These materials biodegrade along with plant residues, eliminating microplastics from the final compost.
Digitalization is another driver of change. Tools such as Field View™, which allow satellite monitoring of fields to optimize sowing and fertilization, and applications designed to plan optimal cover crops, are already a reality that facilitates measurement and maximization of regenerative impact.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. The initial investment in specialized machinery and the learning curve for specific techniques are among the main barriers to widespread adoption. To overcome these, Bayer collaborates with agricultural associations to disseminate practices suitable for farms of all sizes, ensuring that small and medium-sized operations can also benefit from innovation.
Looking to the future, the company hopes that European regulations will allow the incorporation of NGT in seed design, a measure that “will have a clear positive effect on crops, making them more resilient and reducing input requirements.”
On this World Agriculture Day, Arnalte delivers a clear message: “Agriculture is a key factor in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the growing global population. To achieve this, farmers need a broad toolbox that also includes biotechnology.”