Regenerative agriculture is a farming method focused on restoring soil ecosystems, including increasing biodiversity, improving water retention, and enhancing crop resilience. Unlike models that only reduce chemical use, this method aims to change entire farming systems towards sustainability.

In the ASEAN region, many practical models have shown remarkable effectiveness. In Vietnam, the Nescafe Plan program has seen over 21,000 farmers in the Central Highlands apply it to over 60,000 ha of coffee, where:

• Productivity increased from 2 to 3-4 kg/tree/season,
• Income increased by 30–100%
• While production costs decreased.

Large-scale programs also show similar results, with a 40% reduction in irrigation water, a 20% reduction in fertilizers and pesticides, an increase in productivity from 5–25%, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 15–30%.

The 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting has also identified that the scope of regenerative agriculture application is currently focused in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Malaysia during the period 2024 – 2025. Data from industry reports and development organizations show that this model offers clear economic and environmental value.

However, scaling up remains limited. The main causes are financial risks during the transition period and the complexity in operational management when changing the entire farming system. These are the main factors affecting the speed of regenerative agriculture adoption in the region.

2. Factors Driving Agricultural Transformation in ASEAN

2.1 Climate change drives the need to adapt farming systems

The ASEAN region is increasingly impacted by climate change, with phenomena such as prolonged droughts, unusual floods, and saltwater intrusion. These fluctuations directly affect agricultural productivity and soil quality, reducing the effectiveness of traditional farming models.

According to research by Nanyang Technological University and the University of Glasgow published at COP26, without adaptation measures, by 2050, the GDP growth of the region could decrease by more than 35% due to negative impacts from climate change and natural disasters related to agriculture and other sectors.

2.2 Market standards enhance the value of sustainable agricultural products

The demand for sustainable, non-chemical agricultural products with traceability is increasing strongly in major markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan. This trend leads to tightening import standards, particularly related to the environment and supply chain responsibility. From the period 2024-2026, many new regulations have begun to take effect or are being implemented:

• Standards regarding Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) and food safety continue to be tightened, applied even to imports
• The EU is increasing control over environmental aspects, traceability, and trade fraud for imported agricultural products.

These regulations directly impact exporting countries in ASEAN. Key products like coffee, wood, and rubber must meet traceability and supply chain transparency requirements, while many small and medium-sized enterprises face challenges with costs and compliance capabilities.

In parallel, many ASEAN countries are implementing policies to promote sustainable agriculture. However, practical application still faces limitations due to uneven implementation capacity, market awareness, and production conditions.

2.3. Technology and investment open opportunities to upgrade production

Investment in sustainable agriculture and technologies such as IoT, smart agriculture, and clean energy is on the rise in the ASEAN region. However, according to International Energy Agency, to meet the goal of adapting to climate change, Southeast Asia needs to increase investment in clean energy to about 130 billion USD per year by 2030, equivalent to four times the current level.

Although capital and technology are rapidly developing, access for most farmers is still limited. The main reasons are high initial investment costs, complex technical requirements, and a lack of support resources during implementation. As a result, the gap between available technology and practical application remains large, slowing the transition to sustainable agricultural models in the region.

3. Implementation Reality: Transition Phase and System Completion Opportunities

3.1. Regenerative agriculture mostly remains at small scale and pilot models

In ASEAN, regenerative agriculture is mainly seen at small to medium scales, focusing on organic farms or pilot projects. The market is still fragmented, lacking specialized supplies and limited distribution systems, making products difficult to expand to mass markets.

3.2. The trend of gradual application to ensure production stability

The number of farmers fully transitioning remains very limited due to high risks when simultaneously changing many factors in the farming system. Most only apply partial measures such as reducing chemical fertilizers or intercropping, to avoid impacts on productivity and cash flow during the transition period.

3.3. Three core factors that make farmers hesitant to transition

Comprehensive transformation requires synchronized changes in soil, water, biodiversity, and pest control, but farmers face three main barriers:

• Lack of experimental data to forecast productivity and finances
• Lack of a safe testing environment
• Lack of protective mechanisms when productivity decreases in the initial phase

These factors increase risks and are the main reasons regenerative agriculture is difficult to expand in ASEAN.

4. Market Outlook: Expansion Roadmap for Regenerative Agriculture in ASEAN

4.1. Short-term: Controlled expansion and optimization of pilot models

In the short term, regenerative agriculture mainly continues to be implemented at pilot scale. Models like intercropping help spread risks and have shown effectiveness, with farmer incomes increasing by 30-100% and 86% of farms applying crop diversification (NESCAFÉ Plan, 2025). However, financial and technical risk barriers have not been resolved at the system level.

4.2. Medium-term: Building data systems and stabilizing operations

The expansion speed in the 1–3 year period depends on the ability to control risks based on actual data. Models like 1M5R show clear effectiveness by reducing emissions by 26.6–29.9%, increasing productivity by 5.2–7.9%, and profits by 29–67% (The World Bank, 2023).

However, to fully transition, solutions are needed to stabilize the farming system right in the initial phase:

• Soil layer: Adding beneficial microorganisms and organic materials helps improve soil structure, increase microorganism density, and inhibit pathogens. This approach allows for improving soil quality stage by stage, reducing the risk of initial productivity decline. See details on this solution at here.

• Surface layer: Using bio-cover materials from naturally decomposable materials combined with seeds helps stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and create a stable environment for germination. This is especially important under heavy rain and strong runoff conditions in ASEAN. Learn more about solutions to stabilize the soil surface now!

• Environment layer: Climate control solutions in greenhouses help regulate temperature and humidity without relying on electricity, thereby reducing heat stress, limiting disease, and promoting uniform plant growth. Explore the greenhouse temperature control solution at here.

These technologies do not abruptly change the system but play a role in stabilizing foundational factors during the transition phase, helping reduce risks and creating conditions for model expansion in the medium term.

4.3. The conditions to facilitate large-scale transition

The expansion of regenerative agriculture depends on the ability to reduce transition risks through:

• Financial support mechanisms and risk sharing
• Experimental data from actual deployment models
• Accessible technology that supports system stability from soil to environment
• Collaboration between the government, businesses, and farmers

Conversely, barriers such as investment costs, complex processes, and lack of stability in the initial phase remain factors slowing the expansion process.

5. Conclusion: Building a Stable System to Promote Sustainable Transition

Regenerative agriculture is an inevitable trend to ensure sustainable development in ASEAN. However, the biggest barrier is not in awareness, but in risks and costs when changing the entire farming system.

Current approaches mainly convert partially, but have not solved the core problem of stabilizing the system during the transition phase.

To make this model scalable, it is necessary to focus on reducing risks by stabilizing foundational factors like soil quality, surface environment, and microclimate conditions. When these factors are controlled, the transition process becomes feasible and sustainable.

>>>> Connect with Mekonglink here to learn about solutions to reduce risks when transitioning to regenerative agriculture, suitable for real conditions in ASEAN!

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