Biodiversity and Responsible Land Use Requirements
The Regenevate Farm Standard actively promotes biodiversity and responsible land stewardship through specific requirements designed to create thriving farm ecosystems:
Increasing Farm Biodiversity
Mandating the monitoring and increase of both soil microbial life (micro-biodiversity) and above-ground flora and fauna (macro-biodiversity, e.g., insects, worms, birds, diverse plants).
Habitat Protection & Creation
Requiring conservation of water sources with buffer zones (min 50m) and prohibiting deforestation for agriculture since 2014.
Agroforestry Integration
Requiring agroforestry practices where appropriate to the land conditions, integrating trees and woody perennials into the agricultural landscape to enhance habitat, soil protection, and carbon sequestration.
Reduced Chemical Impact
Limiting and reducing pesticides known to harm biodiversity (see Pesticides section). These requirements ensure certified farms contribute positively to local biodiversity and manage land in a way that enhances ecological function.
Decent Work in the Regenevate Standard
Social responsibility is integral to the Regenevate holistic approach. The Farm Standard (Section 4.4) incorporates specific, auditable requirements to ensure decent working conditions and protect labor rights, aligned with international principles:
Women’s Empowerment
Regenevate promotes gender equality primarily through its mandatory non-discrimination requirements within the Farm Standard’s social criteria. Specifically, the standard mandates equal pay for equal work, explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on gender, alongside other categories like language, religion, or ethnic identity.
While the standard doesn’t detail broader women’s empowerment programs, this core requirement ensures that certified operations adhere to fundamental principles of fairness and equal opportunity in remuneration, contributing to a more equitable agricultural sector. Further initiatives may be developed through partnerships focused on gender equity.
Climate Change
Climate Action from the Ground Up: Mitigation and Resilience
GHG Emissions Verification:
Mandating the calculation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions (according to ISO 14064 or similar) and requiring a decrease in average emissions over 3-year cycles. An initial reporting and reduction plan is needed for first-time certification.
Reduced Emissions:
Promoting reduced synthetic fertilizer use (a source of nitrous oxide) and potentially lower fuel consumption from reduced tillage contributes to lowering the farm’s emission footprint.
Carbon Sequestration:
Practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, and potential agroforestry integration are known to increase soil organic carbon (SOC), effectively drawing down atmospheric CO2. SOC is a required soil analysis indicator.
Renewable Energy:
Requiring the use of renewable or eco-friendly energy techniques in farm operations where feasible.
Pesticides and Crop Protection
Regenevate promotes building resilient agroecosystems to minimize reliance on synthetic pesticides. The Plant Production Farm Standard mandates a responsible approach:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM techniques are required, prioritizing preventative measures and non-chemical controls.
Permitted Use
Only licensed and selective pesticides may be used when necessary according to IPM principles.
Record Keeping
Regular recording of all pesticide applications is mandatory. This multi-pronged strategy aims to protect human health, biodiversity, and the environment while supporting effective crop protection.
Prohibited List
Use of highly hazardous pesticides is forbidden. This includes substances classified under WHO Category 1A/1B (extremely/highly hazardous), GHS Category 1A/1B, and those listed under the Montreal (ozone-depleting), Rotterdam (PIC), and Stockholm (Persistent Organic Pollutants) conventions. Stricter national regulations always take precedence.
Soil Health
Building Healthy, Living Soil
Improving and maintaining soil health is the fundamental objective of the Regenevate Plant Production Farm Standard. Healthy soil is recognized as crucial for productivity, nutrient cycling, water management, carbon storage, and biodiversity. The standard mandates a system of practices (Section 1) designed to achieve this:
Core Practices: Requirements include Reduced Tillage, year-round Soil Cover with Cover Crops (>30% area, diverse mixes), diverse Crop Rotations, and enhancing soil fertility through Natural Fertiliser Management while reducing synthetics.
Field Observations:
Using the Regenevate Soil Field Guideline, farmers must annually assess and record indicators like plant health, soil color (indicating organic matter), presence of living roots, soil structure (crusting, cracking, aggregation), stoniness/alkalinity, and observed soil life (earthworms, etc.).
Sustainable Livelihoods
Regenevate aims to create systems that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable for farmers. The standard contributes to sustainable livelihoods through several mechanisms:
Water Stewardship
Protecting Water Resources: Conservation and Quality
The Regenevate Farm Standard includes specific requirements for responsible water management, aiming to conserve water resources and protect their quality:
