Regenerative agriculture: the concept is little known among producers, although practices are already being adopted.

A groundbreaking survey conducted by Agrosmart, 4Lab, CNH, and the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG) reveals that, although practices associated with regenerative agriculture are already part of the routine in the field, the concept is still poorly understood by Brazilian producers. The study surveyed producers in 19 states and 519 municipalities and shows that techniques such as no-till farming (78.9%), the use of cover crops (75.3%), and crop rotation (66.4%) are widely disseminated. Even so, 52.1% of respondents claim not to know what regenerative agriculture is, and only 3.8% say they know and apply the concept in a structured way. The survey also points to significant obstacles to the advancement of the topic, such as lack of technical knowledge (57.1%), absence of a market or fair price (41.9%), and uncertain financial return (41.4%). Even among producers who already adopt these practices, 79.2% have never received economic incentives. “Brazilian producers are already, in practice, more regenerative than they imagine. The challenge is not to convince them to change, but to help them communicate this sustainability and connect what they already do to a market that recognizes and rewards these actions,” says Mariana Vasconcelos, CEO of Agrosmart. Among the perceived benefits, 70.8% report improved soil fertility and 58.3% greater climate resilience. However, the difficulty in measuring results still limits access to certifications, markets, and financing. Despite the challenges, 69.2% of producers believe that regenerative agriculture should grow in Brazil in the coming years, with demand mainly for technical assistance and financial instruments. “The research shows that the bottleneck is not producer resistance, but the lack of economic signals. When asked, 62.6% say they would adopt regenerative practices if there were a favorable market,” highlights Thales Nicoleti, director of 4Lab. The research, "The Status of Regenerative Agriculture in Brazil," was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026. As a result, a practical guide to support the adoption of these practices in the country will be launched at Agrishow 2026 in Ribeirão Preto (SP). "The consolidation of regenerative agriculture requires coordination between different stakeholders, with advances in metrics, financing, and market access, strengthening the biocompetitiveness of Brazilian agriculture," says Gislaine Balbinot, executive director of ABAG. "I see regenerative agriculture not as a theoretical concept, but as a practice that many Brazilian farmers already adopt in their production routines. By sponsoring this research, we seek to value and deepen the understanding of practices that promote soil health, the efficient use of natural resources, and the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change," concludes Raquel Montagnoli, Head of Sustainability at CNH for Latin America.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.