Circular Regenerative Agricultural Practices in Africa: Techniques and Their Potential for Soil Restoration and Sustainable Food Production

Summary

This descriptive review examines the deployment of circular agricultural practices across African farming systems and their potential to address greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water stress. The authors argue that sub-Saharan African farming communities have long practised many principles central to sustainable agriculture—including agronomic practices, smart irrigation, renewable energy harvesting, and waste-to-fertiliser conversion—and that these established approaches require better advocacy and packaging to reach wider adoption. The paper positions Africa as well-placed to lead a global return to circular agriculture, with implications for sustainable food production in developing regions.

Regional applicability

Whilst the paper focuses on sub-Saharan Africa's agroecological context, the documented circular practices (waste-to-fertiliser technologies, renewable energy integration, water-efficient irrigation) have transferable principles for UK regenerative farming and climate mitigation policy. However, UK applicability requires adaptation to temperate climate, soil, and institutional contexts.

Key measures

Literature review of circular agricultural practice adoption; greenhouse gas emissions trends (1994–2014 and 2000–2020); characterisation of regenerative farming techniques and their prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa

Outcomes reported

The study examines the extent to which African agriculture currently deploys circular agricultural practices and identifies potential areas for improvement. It documents agronomic practices, smart irrigation, renewable energy harvesting, and waste-to-fertiliser technologies already embedded in sub-Saharan African farming communities.

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