In Hong Kong, a growing movement of regenerative farmers is seeking to revitalize the city’s agricultural landscape and contribute to the fight against climate change. Regenerative farming, which focuses on soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to conventional farming methods that rely on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Historically, Hong Kong had a thriving agricultural sector, with two-thirds of its food being locally sourced in the 1960s. However, over time, the city became heavily reliant on imported food, with over 97% of its food now coming from outside the region. Despite this shift, a small but dedicated group of farmers is committed to bringing agriculture back to the city using regenerative techniques.
One such farm, Organic Farmula, co-founded by Kelvis Keung Yi-ting in 2019, uses fish scraps to create nutrient-rich slurry for its crops. The fish waste, which would otherwise go to landfills, is ground into a mixture with molasses and Effective Microorganisms powder, then left to ferment for several months before being applied to the soil. This process helps restore soil health and encourages the growth of healthy, nutritious vegetables.
Keung’s farm is part of a broader regenerative farming movement in Hong Kong, supported by organizations like Zero Foodprint Asia (ZFPA), which advocates for practices that improve soil health and restore biodiversity. ZFPA connects farms like Organic Farmula with restaurants, cafes, and food retailers that pledge a percentage of their sales to support regenerative farming initiatives. The movement has grown to include other farms, such as R-Farm Hong Kong, led by Christophe Barthelemy, who has turned his passion for the environment into a sustainable farming venture after retiring from architecture.
Regenerative farming focuses on maintaining soil health by minimizing disturbance, covering the soil, and encouraging plant diversity. Unlike traditional farming, which often uses synthetic fertilizers to nourish crops directly, regenerative farming aims to feed the microorganisms in the soil, which in turn support plant growth. This approach not only produces healthier vegetables but also helps mitigate climate change by turning farms into carbon sinks.
Farmers like Chunling Fong, who founded Farmhouse Productions in 2020, are also embracing regenerative practices. Fong, a former advertising professional, was inspired to pursue farming after realizing that regenerative methods could restore soil health while producing high-quality food. She works with Karen Chau, a PhD student in soil biology, to create compost and feed the soil with beneficial microorganisms. After months of care, the soil becomes teeming with life, and the produce from this soil is noticeably healthier and more flavorful.
Despite the benefits, regenerative farming is labor-intensive and yields smaller quantities of produce compared to conventional farming, which makes it more expensive. However, as awareness grows about the benefits of healthier, chemical-free food, more consumers are willing to pay a premium for products grown using regenerative methods. The movement is also gaining traction in other parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom and Nordic countries, where consumers are increasingly concerned about the nutritional value and environmental impact of their food.
In addition to small-scale farms, regenerative farming is also showing promise in larger projects. A pilot project in northern China, for example, has demonstrated the potential of regenerative practices to improve soil health and boost crop yields. By reducing tilling and reintroducing biodiversity, the project has seen significant improvements in soil fertility, highlighting the scalability of regenerative farming.
The success of regenerative farming is also showcased in the 2020 Netflix documentary Kiss The Ground, which highlights a project near the Mongolian border that has transformed barren land into fertile soil using agroforestry principles. This project exemplifies the potential of regenerative farming to reverse desertification and restore degraded landscapes.
As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, regenerative farming offers a hopeful solution. By focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable practices, regenerative farmers are not only producing healthier food but also helping to combat climate change. In Hong Kong, this movement is slowly gaining momentum, with more farmers embracing regenerative techniques and connecting with consumers who value the importance of healthy, locally grown food. While the path to widespread adoption may be gradual, the efforts of these farmers represent a promising step toward a more sustainable future.
