Collaboration
Fuels Innovation

OUR APPROACH

Inspired by regenerative agriculture techniques, advancements in digital agriculture using drones and satellite imagery, and the unique contexts of African agriculture, AgLivingLabs was established to merge, test, and promote innovative practices in a collaborative setting.

What We Do

We work at the nexus of advanced research, innovation and farming to build resilience.

OBJECTIVES

Facilitate knowledge exchange between producers and researchers using diverse communication channels and structured training

Build a network of progressive farmers to make data-driven decisions for healthier and more profitable farming systems

Test regenerative agriculture practices that work with nature to boost crop production, soil health, and biodiversity

Leverage digital tools and insights to inform action research, advance production practices and farm outcomes, and achieve impact at scale

Shape policies with data, field visits, and testimonials that support scalable, regenerative farming practices

How We Do It

We test and adapt farm innovations in real-world living labs—sharing our learnings as we go.

INNOVATION PRACTICES

Regenerative techniques
No-till farming, cover cropping, crop rotations, agroforestry, and livestock integration to enhance soil structure, increase organic matter, and improve water retention under rainfed production

Digital agriculture
Use of modern data collection, analytical tools, and artificial intelligence to optimize farm operations, precision agriculture practices, market opportunities, and knowledge exchange

Collaborative research
Agri-food stakeholders can leverage the AgLivingLabs platform for action research, creating movement towards resilient, nutritious and economically viable agri-food systems

Capacity building
Global partnerships complement AgLivingLabs to share knowledge and networks through online courses, in-person trainings, data resources, case studies, and farmer networks. Led by experts in regenerative agriculture, agricultural scientists, and fellow producers

Why We Do It

Expanding regenerative agriculture practices will bring economic, environmental, and social benefits.

PRIORITY OUTCOMES

Economic
Agricultural productivity leads to increased profitability for farmers, nutritional security, and local employment in the agri-food sector

Environmental
Improved soil health, water quality, and biodiversity contributing to the long-term sustainability of farming systems and resilience to climate change

Social
Community engagement and collaboration between farmers adopting sustainable agriculture practices that create long-lasting value for their families and communities

The ABC’s of Regenerative Agriculture

  • ANIMALS

    Integrate livestock for grazing and fertilizing where possible based on rainfall and biomass production

  • BIODIVERSITY

    Increase diversity through crop rotations and species varieties for system resilience and reduced the need for pesticides

  • COVER CROPS

    Keep the soil covered with non-commodity crops between growing seasons to reduce soil temperature and evaporation, maintain mycorrhizal fungi, and fix nutrients

  • DISTURBANCE

    Limit chemical applications (e.g. pesticides) and mechanical disturbance (e.g. tilling) to improve biological performance of the system and support plant health, soil microbes, and water retention

  • ECOLOGY

    Keep living roots in the soil to optimize soil biology and soil water

  • FARM CONTEXT

    Understand the full picture of plants, animals, soil type, weather, labor, and mechanization that come together in agricultural production

  • GOVERNANCE

    Support farmers and regenerative agriculture with policy, markets, and good governance