Restoring Agroecosystem Biodiversity

Özet

The modern global food system is increasingly fragile, a consequence of the sweeping agricultural transformations initiated during the Green Revolution of the 1940s. While the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties (HYVs), chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive irrigation, these advancements came at a cost: a significant loss of crop biodiversity, soil degradation, and declining nutritional quality in food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 75% of global crop diversity was lost between 1900 and 2000, making food systems more vulnerable to climate change and disease outbreaks. Furthermore, industrial agriculture’s focus on maximizing yields has led to a dilution of key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins in staple crops, exacerbating global malnutrition. This paper examines the unintended consequences of the Green Revolution on food security, biodiversity, and human health while exploring regenerative agriculture as a viable solution to correct these damages. Regenerative farming practices, including crop diversification, organic soil amendments, reduced chemical inputs, and agroecological approaches, have demonstrated potential in restoring soil fertility, enhancing crop nutrient density, and increasing ecosystem resilience. By transitioning from an extractive, yield-maximizing agricultural model to a regenerative one, it is possible to address both food production and nutrition security in a sustainable manner. This paper also highlights the need for policy shifts, economic incentives, and scientific research to support the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture, ensuring a resilient and nutritionally rich global food system for the future.