Delivering regenerative agriculture through digitalization and AI

As a fifth-generation farmer and CEO of one of the world’s largest agriculture technology companies, I've seen the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture firsthand: how to farm sustainably while maintaining productivity.

Farmers play an essential role in tackling climate change, given that agriculture currently accounts for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they need to feed a rapidly growing world population projected to reach 10 billion by 2058.

The question arises: can regenerative agriculture, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) help us resolve the apparent contradiction between sustainable and productive agriculture?

My family has been working the land in Illinois for decades, currently farming about 3,000 acres. Like many farmers, we're constantly looking for ways to improve our practices — to be more efficient, more productive and better stewards of the land.

Regenerative agriculture represents a holistic approach to farming that goes beyond simply maintaining the status quo. It aims to actively improve soil health, increase biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and capture carbon in the soil.

The key principles of regenerative agriculture emphasize minimizing soil disturbance through reduced tillage and keeping the soil covered with crops or residues year-round. It also promotes increasing plant diversity through crop rotation and cover crops, and gradually reduces synthetic inputs over time.

We've implemented several regenerative agriculture practices on our farm, including minimum tillage, no-till techniques, the use of cover crops and precision application of inputs. We've seen an increase in available water capacity, higher levels of organic matter, soil organic carbon, total carbon and active carbon. Additionally, we've seen improvements in total nitrogen and extractable phosphorus levels.

Farmers who adopt these regenerative and precision agricultural methods may gain substantial financial benefits over time, with some studies suggesting profit increases as high as 120%. Expanding these sustainable practices to cover 40% of the world's farmland could play a crucial role in limiting climate change, strengthening the resilience of our food production systems and protecting both ecological diversity and the economic well-being of farming communities.

At its core, regenerative agriculture is about working with nature, not against it. And now we have digital tools and smart farming technologies to help us do so more effectively.

Advanced monitoring systems and precision agriculture have evolved into multi-dimensional solutions, enabling farmers to track improvements and detect issues with unprecedented accuracy. These technologies integrate data from satellites, drones and soil maps to guide the targeted application of crop protection products and detect diseases and pests early.

Predictive performance analytics are revolutionizing farm management by harnessing historical data through artificial intelligence and machine learning. This allows farmers to forecast future conditions and outcomes, transforming reactive farming practices into proactive agricultural management strategies.

AI in agriculture is projected to grow from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $4.7 billion by 2028, while digital agriculture could boost the agricultural GDP of low- and middle-income countries by more than $450 billion, or 28% per annum.

Transitioning to regenerative practices offers significant benefits — but it comes with challenges. It requires new knowledge, equipment and time for soil ecosystems to rebalance. Recognizing the power of digital and AI, our industry is actively harnessing these technologies not only to support farmers in the field but also to accelerate innovation in agricultural solutions.

However, for regenerative agriculture, digital technologies and AI to reach their full potential, we need supportive policies at local, national and international levels.

Policymakers, businesses and governmental bodies must collaborate in addressing farmers' financial and technological requirements. Implementing incentive programmes to offset transition costs can significantly reduce the financial barriers to adopting regenerative methods. Increased research funding is also essential to quantify benefits and refine best practices, ensuring that farmers have access to the most effective and scientifically-backed techniques.

The development of carbon markets that reward farmers for sequestering carbon could provide additional economic incentives for regenerative practices. Expanding education and extension services is crucial to spread knowledge and support farmers as they transition to new methods.

Finally, creating regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation in this space can help accelerate the development and adoption of regenerative technologies and practices, including AI and other digital tools that support sustainable farming. However, policy and regulatory considerations alone are not enough. We need all players in the complex ecosystem surrounding farmers to create meaningful incentives for adopting technology and regenerative practices in a meaningful way. This especially includes retailers, value chain partners and financial actors such as providers of microfinance solutions, among others. Syngenta Group’s recently announced collaboration with McDonald’s USA and Lopez Foods to help produce beef more sustainably in the United States is one example of an approach.

As we face the twin challenges of adapting to climate change and feeding a growing population, the combination of regenerative agriculture practices, AI and digital technologies is a crucial component in our toolkit for sustainable farming. This synergy empowers farmers to be active participants in addressing climate change while enhancing their ability to produce food more efficiently and sustainably.

We promote this approach with the full understanding that it might ultimately reduce demand for crop protection products and pesticides. Our guiding principle is to create more value for our customers by developing solutions that help farmers to sustainably produce healthy food for society.

As these practices and technologies continue to evolve, we anticipate even greater strides in efficiency and sustainability. By working together — farmers, industry, governments, and consumers — we can create a food system that nourishes both people and the planet for generations to come. This shift is more than adaptation; it's about proactively shaping a sustainable future for agriculture.