Can regenerative agriculture enhance productivity, profitability, and reduce C emissions? A case study in Andean potato farming

Briceño P.; Ninanya J.; Seminario J.F.; Otiniano R.; Rinza J.; Mestanza C.; Arias E.; Villanueva C.; Mendoza W.; de Mendiburu F.; Kreuze J.F.; Ramírez D.A. · European Journal of Agronomy (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2026.128020

Resumen

Andean agriculture faces several challenges, such as land use changes, land degradation, poverty, extreme events, and climate change. Such conditions compromise food production and security, highlighting the need to explore sustainable alternatives. This two-trial study evaluated the short-term performance of regenerative agricultural practices for potato production in the Peruvian Andes over two seasons (2022–2024), in terms of productivity (FTY: Fresh tuber yield), profitability (BCR: Benefit-cost ratio), C footprint (CF), and soil properties. One trial (Trial 1) tested tillage practices—minimum (MT) vs. zero (ZT); plastic barriers—with (wPB) vs. without (nPB); and mulch thicknesses—0.1 (M10) vs. 0.2 (M20) vs. 0.3 (M30) m. The other trial (Trial 2) tested cropping systems—monoculture (MO) vs. intercropping with faba bean (IN); a fungicide optimization tool—with (wDK) vs. without (nDK); and chicken manure doses—1 (CM1) vs. 2 (CM2) vs. 4 (CM4) t ha⁻¹ . Compared to conventional practices, numerically MT+nPB+M30 increased FTY by ∼3.5 % and reduced CF by 19.9 % in Trial 1, while MO+wDK+CM4 increased FTY and BCR by 28 % and 12.4 %, respectively, in Trial 2. ZT and IN performed poorly in the short-term under Andean conditions, highlighting the need for long-term studies. In both trials, the short-term effect of regenerative practices improved soil organic matter with a mixed impact on pH. Regenerative practices in the Andes offer synergies and trade-offs, but integrating reduced tillage, mulching, and organic fertilization can enhance sustainability without lowering productivity. Long-term adoption is essential to restore soil carbon stocks, improve sustainability, and increase the resilience of Andean agriculture.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca