Title: Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming: From Traditional Approaches to Recent Advances
Date: June 19, 2025
Lead Working Group: Cyprus
Moderator: Maria Prantsidou, Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence (ECoE), Cyprus
Working Group speakers:
- Dr Thanos Arampatzis food, Greece (CARBONICA’s Communication Manager)
- Dr Michalis Christoforou, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
Invited Diaspora expert speaker:
- Dr Anastasios Tsaousis, Reader in Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, UK (Academia)
MAP Representatives invited speakers:
- Dr Dimitrios Sarris, Research Director, KES Research Centre; Head of School of Environmental Studies, KES College; Member of Cyprus Environment Foundation Advisory Board, Cyprus (Civil Society)
- Dr Nikolas Karavas, Greek Managing Authority of National CAP Strategic Plan 2021–2027, Programming and Networking Unit, Greece (Policy)
- Mr. Aggelos Zacharis, Agronomist & Mr. Ioannis Zacharis Chemist, Greece (Agriculture/Industry)
- Mr. Filip Kamchev, Agronomist & Enologist, Kievo Winery, North Macedonia (Agriculture/Industry)
Key outcomes
- Speakers highlighted regenerative methods such as biochar use, reduced tillage, and living mulches as essential to improving soil health, water retention, and biodiversity—laying the foundation for effective carbon farming, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.
- Trials on biochar (UK) and no-till practices (CY) demonstrated measurable improvements in soil carbon and yields. The importance of long-term, science-based validation to support policy and farmer adoption was strongly emphasized.
- Greece’s CAP Strategic Plan includes eco-schemes that indirectly support regenerative practices, with carbon footprint targets for key crops of cotton, tomato, and quinoa. It was noted that the integration of sustainable agricultural practices and carbon farming into national policy is progressing, but further clarity and dedicated interventions could strengthen the role of carbon farming in national strategies.
- Real-world cases from Greece and North Macedonia showcased how precision technologies (drones, sensors, soil mapping) reduce inputs, lower costs, and improve environmental outcomes—especially in dryland and vineyard farming.
- Farmer-led initiatives and civil society projects in all three countries are vital enablers of sustainable practices. Their active role helps bridge science, policy, and practice, fostering resilience and wider adoption of carbon farming at grassroots level.
Next Steps & Recommendations
- To promote the scale-up of science-based regenerative practices (e.g. biochar, no-till, living mulches) tailored to local conditions—especially in climate-vulnerable regions.
- To strengthen national policy frameworks by explicitly recognize and incentivize regenerative and carbon farming practices within CAP Strategic Plans and eco-schemes.
- Investment in in digital innovation for small and medium farms can enable precision agriculture and data-driven sustainability, making carbon farming more accessible and effective.
- CARBONICA can assist farmers and stakeholders’ capacity building by using the CARBONICA Academy and the CARBONICA Accelerator program. The CARBONICA Academy offers free, modular training and certification on carbon farming for farmers, advisors, and agri-entrepreneurs. The CARBONICA Accelerator supports start-ups and SMEs in developing innovative, climate-smart solutions for the agri-food sector.
Title: Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming: From Traditional Approaches to Recent Advances
Date: June 19, 2025
Lead Working Group: Cyprus
Moderator: Maria Prantsidou, Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence (ECoE), Cyprus
Working Group speakers:
- Dr Thanos Arampatzis food, Greece (CARBONICA’s Communication Manager)
- Dr Michalis Christoforou, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
Invited Diaspora expert speaker:
- Dr Anastasios Tsaousis, Reader in Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, UK (Academia)
MAP Representatives invited speakers:
- Dr Dimitrios Sarris, Research Director, KES Research Centre; Head of School of Environmental Studies, KES College; Member of Cyprus Environment Foundation Advisory Board, Cyprus (Civil Society)
- Dr Nikolas Karavas, Greek Managing Authority of National CAP Strategic Plan 2021–2027, Programming and Networking Unit, Greece (Policy)
- Mr. Aggelos Zacharis, Agronomist & Mr. Ioannis Zacharis Chemist, Greece (Agriculture/Industry)
- Mr. Filip Kamchev, Agronomist & Enologist, Kievo Winery, North Macedonia (Agriculture/Industry)
Key outcomes
- Speakers highlighted regenerative methods such as biochar use, reduced tillage, and living mulches as essential to improving soil health, water retention, and biodiversity—laying the foundation for effective carbon farming, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.
- Trials on biochar (UK) and no-till practices (CY) demonstrated measurable improvements in soil carbon and yields. The importance of long-term, science-based validation to support policy and farmer adoption was strongly emphasized.
- Greece’s CAP Strategic Plan includes eco-schemes that indirectly support regenerative practices, with carbon footprint targets for key crops of cotton, tomato, and quinoa. It was noted that the integration of sustainable agricultural practices and carbon farming into national policy is progressing, but further clarity and dedicated interventions could strengthen the role of carbon farming in national strategies.
- Real-world cases from Greece and North Macedonia showcased how precision technologies (drones, sensors, soil mapping) reduce inputs, lower costs, and improve environmental outcomes—especially in dryland and vineyard farming.
- Farmer-led initiatives and civil society projects in all three countries are vital enablers of sustainable practices. Their active role helps bridge science, policy, and practice, fostering resilience and wider adoption of carbon farming at grassroots level.
Next Steps & Recommendations
- To promote the scale-up of science-based regenerative practices (e.g. biochar, no-till, living mulches) tailored to local conditions—especially in climate-vulnerable regions.
- To strengthen national policy frameworks by explicitly recognize and incentivize regenerative and carbon farming practices within CAP Strategic Plans and eco-schemes.
- Investment in in digital innovation for small and medium farms can enable precision agriculture and data-driven sustainability, making carbon farming more accessible and effective.
- CARBONICA can assist farmers and stakeholders’ capacity building by using the CARBONICA Academy and the CARBONICA Accelerator program. The CARBONICA Academy offers free, modular training and certification on carbon farming for farmers, advisors, and agri-entrepreneurs. The CARBONICA Accelerator supports start-ups and SMEs in developing innovative, climate-smart solutions for the agri-food sector.
Uploaded files:
EN 
EL 
MK 