Regenerativt lantbruk: En kvalitativ studie om möjligheter och utmaningar med att driva ett lantbruk som regenererar jord och ekosystem

Abstract

Regenerative agriculture has recently received worldwide attention from researchers, policy makers, journalists, and farmers for its potential to regenerate degraded soil and ecosystems. It has been presented as a solution to address the challenges that the agricultural system faces today: food insecurity, negative environmental impact, economic chocks, and climate crises. This qualitative study examines how farmers in a Swedish context define and understand regenerative agriculture, and where it is positioned in the mapping of views on sustainable development. In addition, the study also examines challenges and opportunities that exists for the regenerative farmers and analyses them with the theoretical framework of zones of friction and traction. The results of the study show that the farmer's role has been redefined based on a strong relationship and interaction with nature – the work for the farmer includes achieving the highest vitality possible of the ecosystem and in doing so, satisfying human needs. Furthermore, the results identify a range of economic, ecological, practical, social, and political opportunities and challenges that the farmers must navigate. The study show that regenerative agriculture goes beyond the concept of sustainable development and concludes that it should be promoted locally, nationally, and globally to be scaled up around the world.