Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Policy Interventions for Soil Health and Climate Resilience

As of mid-2026, the Indian government has intensified its focus on regenerative agriculture as a cornerstone of its climate-resilient farming strategy. By moving away from input-intensive chemical farming toward methods that restore soil vitality, the state aims to address the dual challenges of declining land productivity and the increasing frequency of climate-induced weather shocks. Current data highlights a significant policy push, with 8.80 lakh hectares now integrated into natural farming clusters, alongside 109 lakh hectares covered under the 'Per Drop More Crop' initiative. Regenerative agriculture—encompassing agroforestry, natural farming, and precision irrigation—is not merely an environmental imperative but a socio-economic necessity. The degradation of topsoil, driven by decades of intensive monoculture and excessive chemical usage, threatens the long-term food security of the nation. By promoting micro-irrigation, the government is also addressing the critical issue of water-use efficiency, which is vital for regions facing groundwater depletion. These interventions are designed to reduce the cost of cultivation for small and marginal farmers while simultaneously sequestering carbon in the soil, thereby aligning domestic agricultural goals with global climate commitments.