The agricultural sector generates approximately 20% of total employment in Iraq. Smallholder farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector. The Najaf region of Southern Iraq, in particular, contributes 15% of the country’s GDP and has been an agricultural hub for centuries. According to the World Bank in 2021, Iraq’s economic recovery “was to some extent curtailed by severe water shortages and widespread electricity cuts following historically low rainfall, impacting the agricultural and industrial sectors.”

As the effects of climate change slowly continue to impact the region’s farms and the communities that depend on them, Regen has worked with its partners to develop a model to help these communities adapt and be more resilient.

Rooted Project

The farm measures 1000 donums (250 hectares) and is located near the Euphrates River. It has been owned by the same family since Iraq’s independence. The farm is a pillar of the local community and employs 200 people, who, in turn, support a community of approximately 2,000. The farm indirectly supports the local economy by supporting many businesses and services, as well as local schools and mosques. Without the farm, the community would most likely migrate to other regions or even other countries in search of jobs and income.

The farm faces five challenges:

1) Iraq is one of five countries most affected by climate change, and cannot continue to farm as before.

2) Less rainfall combined with reduced river flow and exacerbated water shortages.. Water-intensive farming methods are no longer feasible.

3) High fertilizer and chemical use is changing the soil pH drastically and has had serious effects on the ground water table. Recent soil and water tests highlight a serious risk of desertification

4) Farmers lack the necessary knowledge to improve farming techniques, leading to sub-optimal yields and high costs

5) Guaranteed government buyer for wheat and rice means there are no incentives to trial new crops. The farm is constantly dependent on government support, and in 2022 it was not allowed to plant rice due to water shortages

With Regen’s network, know-how, and access to grant funding, the Rooted Project aims to:

1) Fund local capacity and knowledge with an agronomist,
2) Reduce water consumption by 50 to 70% with new irrigation methods,
3) Introduce regenerative farming practices,
4) Develop value-added partnerships.

Tanzania is one of the East African countries that is most vulnerable to climate change, and is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the agriculture sector in Tanzania represents almost 30% of the country’s GDP and three quarter of the country’s workforce. Women represent a large percentage of this workforce.

A 2021 World Bank report stated that enabling agricultural transformation would help Tanzania maintain this positive direction. Transforming the agricultural techniques in the context of the smallholder farmer will require integrating the effects of climate change, local community knowledge, and outside expertise and funding.

Regen is responding to this need by working with its partners to develop a model to help this Tanzanian community farm adapt and be more resilient.

SeedLand Ltd.

SeedLand Ltd. is an agribusiness borne of a desire to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of maize, bean, and sunflower seed. It embraces the importance of working with smallholder farmers to improve soil through conservation practices, crop rotation, and the use of green manures. These practices benefit the community in numerous ways.

SeedLand’s business is twofold, focusing on (1) irrigated seed production and (2) the introduction of green manures and cover crops like sunn hemp and lablab beans to aid in soil regeneration. This combined approach will help farmers lower their input cost while generating additional revenue and improving soil health.

Smallholder farmers in Tanzania face a host of problems:

1) The higher cost of imported seeds,
2) The higher cost of fertilizer,
3) Limited access to irrigation systems,
4) The negative impacts of climate change,
5) The lack of resources, knowledge, and funding to switch to regenerative agriculture.

With Regen’s network, know-how, and access to grant funding, the project aims to:

1) Provide access to better quality, cheaper, locally produced seeds;
2) Establish training and education programs on regenerative agriculture;
3) Introduce the use of cover crops;
4) Lower the need of imported fertilizer, and
5) Propose adding cash crops for the farmers.

Climate change is reshaping seasons, making summers hotter, winters milder, and rainfall more erratic. In agriculture, we're exploring how to adapt to these changes, deciding on the right plants and methods for planting. Orchards, with their long-term growth, pose unique challenges. We're not just adapting fruit varieties; we're pioneering new ways to manage orchards in changing climates.

Teaming up with the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Baden-Württemberg Land Agency, we're studying resilient management methods and alternative trees for orchards. Our project involves studying lots of scientific papers and creating easy-to-understand guides. We're also setting up trial areas where people can learn hands-on.

In Spiegelberg, on December 2, 2023, we'll start a 7000 m2 orchard focused on handling climate change. The land there isn't ideal; it has steep slopes, acidic soil, and limited nutrients. But orchards already dot the slopes, struggling due to neglect and poor yields. Our goal is different: to make sure orchards can thrive despite climate change. We're planting 64 young trees in pairs, taking care of them with extra trees for protection and nutrients. We'll also plant different trees like chestnuts, pecans, mulberries, and figs.

We're not just planting; we're changing how planting is done. By using special pots, and natural charcoal and protecting the trees from pests, we're ensuring the best possible growth.