Regenerative Permanent Crops

Our Impact

The recent surge in global tree nut production, especially almonds and pistachios, has been mostly driven by the development of intensive irrigated orchards. These systems rely on heavy use of external inputs, such as synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, to ensure plants can thrive in a man-made environment, characterised by a single commercial specie. While this approach can deliver high yields, an oversimplified and reductionist view of agricultural systems has led to damaging land use practices and several negative environmental externalities. These include water and soil pollution, biodiversity loss, and high Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, which ultimately hinder the long-term sustainability of farming.

Traditional rainfed systems in Mediterranean zones also suffer from land degradation. Soils are often kept bare through tillage or application of herbicides, which can lead to soil erosion, nutrient run-off and loss of soil organic matter.

In recent years, innovative farmers have developed regenerative practices that build soil health, reduce reliance on external inputs, and have a positive impact on biodiversity, water and carbon cycles. Broadly defined, the key principles of regenerative agriculture are minimising soil disturbance, eliminating or reducing agrochemical use, keeping soil covered, maximising plant diversity, and integrating livestock. Although the regenerative agriculture movement is more developed within annual cropping and livestock systems, the same principles can be applied to permanent crops.

We are working with a number of growers using regenerative practices in orchards in Iberia and other parts of the world. Key practices include planting cover crops between tree rows, minimizing tillage, using composts and biodiversity fertilisers, mulching the pruning residues and planting hedgerows or pollinator habitats for integrated pest management. Whole orchard recycling at the end of orchard life also significantly improves the GHG profile. These systems can produce nuts, olives and other crops in a profitable way while storing carbon and improving soil health. By increasing soil organic matter, they also use water more efficiently. When economically viable, orchards are transitioned to organic certification to tap into higher premium markets.