Regenerative agriculture (RA) is rapidly gaining ground as a sustainable alternative to conventional, input-heavy farming systems. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on fertilisers and chemicals, RA takes a biologically driven and systems-based approach, aiming to rebuild soil health and resilience while supporting long-term productivity and profitability. Orizon Agriculture, a South African company, has positioned itself as a key partner in this transition. According to Willem van der Westhuizen, business development manager at Orizon, regenerative agriculture is more than a farming technique—it is a shift in mindset that seeks to optimise natural processes.
Also Read: Agrico Scales Up: Introducing Southern Africa’s Largest PVC Pipes
At the heart of this approach lies functional soil biology. Rather than treating soil as an inert medium, RA recognises it as a living ecosystem. Microbial communities within the soil play a vital role in nutrient cycling, root health, and structural stability. In RA systems, plant roots exchange carbon with these microbes, which in turn provide the nutrients crops require. This dynamic interaction supports healthier plants and more resilient yields over time.
To guide farmers, Orizon promotes a core set of regenerative principles that have been adapted to South Africa’s diverse agricultural landscapes. These include minimising disturbance through reduced or zero tillage, maintaining soil cover with residues and cover crops, and encouraging living roots year-round to feed microbial communities. High species diversity through crop rotation and intercropping builds resilience, while livestock integration enhances nutrient cycling and profitability. Importantly, the approach is never one-size-fits-all—farm-specific factors such as rainfall, soil type, and operational scale are carefully considered to ensure practical implementation.
While the benefits of RA are clear, the transition can be financially challenging. Orizon helps bridge this gap by enabling farmers to earn carbon credits through verified sequestration and emission reduction initiatives. Working with international registries such as Verra, the company manages sampling, modelling, auditing, and credit sales, returning up to 75% of revenue to farmers. Initial costs are absorbed by Orizon and recovered only from future carbon income, creating an accessible entry point for farmers seeking to diversify their revenue while restoring ecosystems.
Field-level evidence already points to measurable improvements among farmers in Orizon’s network. During the 2023/24 drought, regeneratively managed soils retained water more effectively, allowing crops to withstand dry conditions longer than conventionally farmed fields. Improved infiltration has also reduced excess runoff, slowed dam filling, and limited erosion. Farmers report that their fields are more trafficable during wet conditions, improving harvest timing, while increases in biological activity—such as the resurgence of earthworms and beneficial microbes—signal healthier, more productive soils.
From a financial perspective, Orizon emphasises profit per hectare rather than yield alone. By reducing input costs and enhancing soil resilience, RA offers a stable and viable path forward. The company stresses that regenerative systems are implemented incrementally, reducing risk and ensuring both technical and financial sustainability. “RA is not a quick fix,” Van der Westhuizen notes. “It is a strategic reorientation of the farm system—one that can deliver significant environmental and economic returns over time.”
For more information, farmers can contact Willem van der Westhuizen at willem@orizonagriculture.com or visit orizonagriculture.com.