Refarm

Refarm is a term used in agriculture and land restoration to describe the process of restoring degraded or abandoned land to a productive farming system. It encompasses a range of practices rather than a single method, and it is often undertaken as part of landscape rehabilitation, climate resilience, or rural development efforts.

Practices commonly involved include increasing soil organic matter through compost and cover crops; use of green manures; reduced tillage; erosion control measures such as terracing and mulching; agroforestry or alley cropping; improved drainage and irrigation efficiency; and the rehabilitation of soil structure and fertility through targeted nutrient management and mycorrhizal inoculants where appropriate.

The goals are to restore soil health and fertility, improve water retention and biodiversity, reduce erosion, and achieve sustainable crop yields over time. Refarming can also enhance carbon sequestration and provide resilience against drought and extreme weather.

Implementation requires long-term planning, investment, and often community or land tenure agreements. The rate and success depend on soil type, climate, original degradation drivers, and ongoing management. Challenges include upfront costs, the time required to rebuild soil, and the need to align with local livelihoods and markets.

In practice, refarming may be part of broader land restoration programs on marginal or degraded landscapes, including post-mining sites, abandoned fields, or overgrazed rangelands. It is related to concepts such as regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management.