Terviva's "Four Fingers and a Thumb": Building Regenerative Agriculture from the Ground Up 🌱
Sudhir Rani Co-founder, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Terviva, Inc.
There was a lot of talk two weeks ago at the World Agritech Conference about regenerative farming. TLDR: People are still figuring it out. Convincing farmers to shift from established practices is a significant challenge and companies like McCain Foods and Regrow Ag are doing great work. While much of the focus is on changing practices on prime ag land, we see a big opportunity in degraded lands where we can build regen ag from the ground up. So, what exactly does that mean? For Terviva , it means five things—what Marc Diaz, our head of commercialization, calls "four fingers and a thumb." The four fingers are soil, water, climate, biodiversity, and the thumb is farmer livelihood. We use these pillars when we're planting Pongamia (perennial legume) in orchards or as part of agroforestry projects to make that regenerative magic happen.
Empowering Livelihoods: Revitalizing Distressed Lands 📈
Central to the business model is our focus on partnering with farmers to repurpose distressed or degraded farmland around the world to produce low carbon oil and protein products. We focus on communities hardest hit by disease, climate change, and shifting markets, creating new opportunities where they're needed most.
Soil Health: Natural Rejuvenator 🌿
Not only is pongamia a beautiful tree, but it also improves soil health: fixing nitrogen and cutting back on tilling. This creates a resilient foundation for long-term success by boosting fertility and structure. Imagine a farm that naturally builds its own strength.
Water: Smart, Sustainable Hydration 💧
Pongamia, like all crops, needs water but it is naturally drought tolerant. We choose to plant in tough soil and climate conditions but pongamia can get enough water from rainfall. It's not just about saving the earth's water stash. It’s also about cutting down on excessive watering, nitrogen runoff, etc.
Climate: Carbon Capture 🌎
Pongamia actively combats climate change by reducing our carbon footprint. Its minimal input requirements and low-tillage practices mean less energy to plant and maintain the crop. Moreover, Pongamia's ability to sequester carbon within its woody biomass makes it a crucial ally in building a healthier environment. Think of it as a natural carbon sink, working tirelessly to balance our ecological footprint.
Biodiversity: A Thriving Ecosystem 🐝
Pongamia trees are great for plant and critter diversity. These trees attract vital pollinators and foster a vibrant microbial community in the soil, creating a dynamic and resilient ecosystem. Fewer pesticides mean less money spent on protecting the crop, keeping our ecosystem healthy.
Cultivating a Sustainable Future
That's a high five for soil, water, climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods! ✋ Pongamia plays a vital role in our focused efforts to revitalize distressed and degraded farmland, marking our contribution to a regenerative planet.
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