What's Happening?
A coalition of industry associations, research institutions, government bodies, and civil society organizations has formed the National Alliance for Regenerative Vegetable Oil Sector (NARVOS) in India. The alliance aims to promote regenerative agriculture practices that restore soil health, enhance productivity, and strengthen farmers' resilience to climate change. This initiative is part of the EU-India partnership on regenerative agriculture, focusing on climate-resilient food systems and sustainable value chains. The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), along with 700 member companies, has committed to buying back regenerative products. The alliance includes bodies such as SEA, SOPA, AWL Agri Business, and the Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), aiming to reduce India's dependency on edible oil imports and improve farmer livelihoods.
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Why It's Important?
The initiative is crucial as it addresses the declining soil fertility and unsustainable farming practices threatening oilseed production across 27 million hectares in India. With over 55% of India's land already degraded, regenerative agriculture offers a solution to increase yields by 20-40% while reducing fertilizer and pesticide costs by up to 50%. This transition could transform the production of oilseeds like soybean, mustard, groundnut, sunflower, and oil palm. By adopting regenerative practices, India can become self-reliant and a global leader in sustainable vegetable oils, enhancing food security and farmer income while meeting consumer and regulatory demands for sustainable products.
What's Next?
The alliance plans to co-create solutions that restore soil health, conserve water, and increase biodiversity, while improving farmers' incomes and resilience. SEA, along with its 800 member companies, has committed to supporting farmers by buying back regenerative products, ensuring market support for those adopting these practices. The focus will be on improving soil health, water efficiency, and diversifying cropping systems to raise productivity and lower costs for farmers. The initiative aims to make farming sustainable long-term and keep the soil fertile, encouraging more organizations and companies related to agriculture to join the effort.
Beyond the Headlines
Regenerative agriculture is not just a practice but a philosophy that works with nature rather than against it. It emphasizes the importance of soil health as a critical concern in agriculture, addressing the growing issue of soil health depletion. By focusing on improving and sustaining soil health, regenerative practices are vital for building a resilient future for agriculture. The initiative also highlights the need for innovation, collaboration, and a shift towards sustainable models to bridge the demand-supply gap in India's vegetable oil sector.
