A landmark study by the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA), funded by EIT Food, has demonstrated that regenerative farming practices can deliver high productivity while reducing environmental impact, offering a potential roadmap for the European agri-food sector.

The research examined 78 regenerative farms across 14 European countries, covering 7,000 hectares, and benchmarked performance against conventional farms. The findings challenge the perception that synthetic input-heavy farming is essential to maintain food security.

Productivity and resource efficiency

Between 2020 and 2023, regenerative farms recorded:

1% lower yields in kilocalories and protein compared with conventional farms

62% less synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use

76% fewer pesticides per hectare

Over 15% increases in soil cover, plant diversity, and photosynthesis between 2018 and 2024

The farms also produced these results without importing livestock feed from outside their bioregion, underscoring localised resource efficiency. Additionally, regenerative fields had average summer surface temperatures 0.3°C cooler, highlighting potential climate mitigation benefits.

New metrics for regenerative performance

The study introduced the Regenerating Full Productivity (RFP) Index, developed collaboratively by farmers, researchers, and agronomists. From 2020 to 2023, regenerative farms delivered over 27% higher RFP than the European average, with gains ranging 24–38% across the 14 countries studied.

Environmental impact and scalability

The research estimates that widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture in Europe could mitigate 141 million metric tonnes of CO2e annually, equivalent to 84% of the EU agricultural sector’s net greenhouse gas emissions. EARA suggests that a 3–7 year transition could make Europe’s agricultural sector nature and climate positive, while maintaining food and fibre security.

Industry perspectives

Beate Caldewey-Samaras, EARA farmer and founder of Pangaio Living Soil, noted:

“The RFP Index offers a breakthrough metric for finance and insurance, translating real-time ecosystem performance into actionable data. This could unlock smarter capital flows for regenerative farming, benefiting investors, insurers, and farmers alike.”

Theodor Friedrich, retired FAO ambassador and independent reviewer, added:

“Regenerative agriculture is more than a buzzword — it is a viable pathway to feeding the world sustainably across social, environmental, and economic dimensions.”

The study provides a compelling case for policymakers and industry stakeholders to integrate regenerative practices into agricultural strategies, signalling significant opportunities for sustainable growth in the European agri-food sector.