Since 2018, Wageningen Social & Economic Research has been studying whether regenerative farming can offer a profitable business model. This research focuses on forty pioneering farms across arable farming, livestock, and other open-field sectors. Researcher Mark Manshanden explains: "This is crucial if we want this approach to farming to become a serious, scalable alternative—moving from a niche to a system-wide transition."
Regenerative agriculture is a method of farming that aims to restore and enhance soil health, ecosystems, and biodiversity-in short, to support living soils. While organic farming is now widely recognised and certified through labels like SKAL or BIO, regenerative farming is still in its early stages.
Still evolving
Manshanden: "In this research-which I'm conducting together with my colleagues Harry Kortstee and Hilde van den Hoorn-we are focusing on agricultural innovation and identifying viable, real-world examples. We estimate that it will take at least five to ten years before regenerative farming becomes a fully-fledged market concept. Because the costs and benefits involved in the transition are still uncertain, it is currently a risky investment for banks and other financial backers."
Initial findings suggest that the shift from conventional to regenerative agriculture is well underway. Understandably, farmers want to see quick results from their efforts. Hilde van den Hoorn notes: "But measuring the effects is often complex. Regenerative agriculture is not a fixed concept, which makes it difficult to create standardised and reliable models for measurement."
Manshanden adds: "Data processing and storage are also still challenges. Some farms still keep their financial records by hand, so digitalisation is needed first. Still, we are able to assess outcomes in other ways-for example, by analysing what eventually ends up in surface water."
Research in practice
Within these projects, forty farmers have either started or taken further steps in developing a regenerative business model. The group is diverse, with varied starting points and motivations. Each participant received guidance in creating a business development plan, including a tailored monitoring protocol.
Manshanden: "One farmer sees it as stewardship-passing the farm on in better condition to the next generation. Another is focused on boosting biodiversity or contributing to societal goals. What unites them is their ambition and the fact that none of them are thinking about quitting anytime soon."
He continues: "In our research, we looked at both the costs and benefits of regenerative practices, as well as the barriers and opportunities they involve. One key lesson from this project is: show successful and profitable examples. By highlighting innovations and smart market strategies, regenerative farming can become a more attractive economic option for other farmers."
ReGeNL
The insights from this research are being carried forward in the ReGeNL Growth Fund project. This transition programme aims to transform the Dutch agricultural sector into a regenerative, sustainable, and future-proof system. The programme is a collaboration between 54 organisations, including Wageningen University & Research.
Between now and 2030, ReGeNL will support one thousand farmers in switching to regenerative agriculture, backed by a sound business case. The goal is for the programme to become a leading example-both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Regenerative agriculture is an inspiring pilot project within the This is Wageningen Social & Economic Research campaign. It demonstrates that farming can not only be sustainable, but also restorative and future-focused. Regenerative agriculture contributes:
To agriculture - by restoring soils, boosting biodiversity, and building resilient production systems.
To food systems - by producing honest, healthy food with respect for people and nature.
To social and economic change - by placing farmers and communities at the heart of a transition towards a fairer, healthier, and more climate-friendly food system.
