Motivations behind regenerative agriculture: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Over the last few decades, regenerative agriculture has emerged as a promising approach to redefine sustainability in agricultural practices. It aims to restore ecosystems, improve soil health and enhance biodiversity while maintaining agricultural productivity. This review analyses the primary social, economic and environmental motivations behind the adoption of regenerative agriculture. Additionally, it examines the roles various stakeholders play in either adopting, accelerating or hindering the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, 49 articles published between 2014 and 2025 were selected. The sustainability pillars (environmental, economic and social) were used to systematize the core findings. Key results indicate that environmental motivations are key drivers for adopting regenerative agriculture, though economic and social factors also play a role. Regenerative agriculture is identified as a significant contributor to sustainability; however, key challenges include the transition period, lack of incentives and inadequate regulations. These barriers are particularly challenging for farmers attempting to shift to regenerative practices. This review underscores the need for policy reforms, integration of regenerative agriculture into incentive and subsidy schemes and improved knowledge transfer to farmers about the long-term benefits of regenerative practices. Additionally, ensuring the replicability of regenerative agriculture models in countries where small- and medium-sized farming is predominant is crucial for enhancing the scalability of these practices.