Agroecology and regenerative farming often get used interchangeably but they are not the same, in agroecology the use of machinery is reduced in favour of human power to reduce the pollution impact. Methods devised to expedite processes and production include scientific means, and that is where the use of enzyme conglomerates and mineral additives have a part to play.

Equally the goals of regenerative agriculture, organic agriculture and agroecology are remarkably similar, reducing the use of harsh persistent chemicals for pest, disease and weed management. To stop tilling, increase soil fertility, use safe fertilisation methods, cover crops, crop rotation and overall increase plant health, yield, and quality.

There is the consistent mention of sustainable development however is this right? If we merely sustain then as population growth continues we will not be able to meet the demand for food, so food security becomes an issue, not only is there the increased risk of poor soil quality that is unable to sustain the level of production necessary to satisfy demand but as the weather continues to change as a result of global warming and we start to see increasing extremes of weather from drought to excessive rainfall and storms that are wreaking havoc on entire ecosystems.

Like organic agriculture there is a very real need to remove the use of synthetic fertilisers, except the main difference is that with organic farming a farm will lose its license for using these products, with agroecology that is not yet an issue, many farmers are going to the non-synthetic harmful persistent pesticide route nowadays after recognising that the organic farming market is no longer niche but instead growing by the year in popularity and demand.

Agroecology combines traditional farming processes married to modern scientific disciplines and practices. So, the use of enzymes and minerals to promote plant growth and health whilst protecting from pests, infection and diseases are essential as society recognises the need for food security. Sustainability itself is no longer enough, regenerative practices must become the norm if we as a species are to continue to thrive. Agroecology and regenerative farming methods concentrate on making the best use of what nature has to offer to help with food production whilst not damaging those resources.

Agroecology is a very attractive approach in countries where traditional artisanal methods and practices continue to be used, in countries on the African continent this is a particularly good approach to increasing yields and protecting crops by using biomass and concentrating on small farmers assisting them to garner better crops and higher profits from healthy non-synthetic chemically treated crops, essentially reconnecting with nature, additional benefits to this type of farming means that the chemical run-off into waterways is vastly reduced, meaning healthier cleaner water and a reduction on algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems.

To summarise, the grassroots approach of agroecology means that we are now returning to the farming methods of our ancestors combined with modern scientific methods and are bringing soils that have been depleted of the majority of minerals, good bacteria and enzymes from the deleterious harsh synthetic chemical fertiliser use of the past 60 years back to life, the realisation that we cannot continue to destroy our soils has finally awoken efforts to restore our life-giving earth the chance to recover, in time to help the human race survive what could very well have been if left unchecked have been an extinction event.