UK farming faces mounting pressures from climate change, low profitability and uncertainty around future agricultural policies. The government’s proposed 25-year Farming Roadmap aims to provide long-term stability for the sector. Within this context, regenerative agriculture, a practice centred on improving soil health and working with nature, has gained attention as a potential model for the future of farming. However, beyond a set of core principles, interpretations of regenerative agriculture vary widely.

This briefing explores four potential futures for regenerative agriculture, differing in their use of technology, inputs and desire for systemic change. Each presents distinct risks and opportunities for the UK’s climate and nature goals, farm profitability and food security. While regenerative agriculture shares common ground with the 25-year Farming Roadmap, it alone cannot deliver all these priorities. We propose three recommendations to help government strategically support the aspects of regenerative agriculture that align with the 25-year Farming Roadmap’s goals.