Vojvodina, the heart of Serbia’s agricultural production, is known for its fertile chernozem soils. However, intensive soil tillage methods and low rates of organic matter return raise concerns about the sustainability of this production. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly mentioned as a possible answer to these challenges, but how realistic is its broader adoption in the local context? Ladislav Luc reports from the ground.
In northern Vojvodina, near Subotica, Ivan Sudarević and his family are developing a family farm based on the principles of regenerative agriculture. Although their farm had practiced conventional crop production for decades, the transition to an alternative production system began in 2013—initially driven by the need to optimise labour and improve efficiency, and later by the realisation that conventional soil tillage was contributing to visible fertility degradation.
Sudarević points specifically to the loss of humus and the deterioration of soil structure as key reasons for changing their approach. The turning point, he says, came with a meeting with agronomist and advisor Florian Farkaš, who introduced him to the ideas of the regenerative model. This was followed by intensive self-education through conferences, seminars, visits to demonstration plots, and continuous knowledge exchange with other farmers who had taken similar steps.
By 2020, the Sudarević family had already implemented regenerative practices across approximately 200 hectares of arable land. Their approach includes carefully planned crop rotation, no-till direct seeding, the use of cover crops, organic fertilisation, and controlled machinery movement to preserve soil structure. In addition, the farm integrates crop production with livestock farming, enabling better nutrient cycling and gradual integration of livestock into the overall regenerative system.
Results became visible as early as the first year: an increase in earthworm populations, better water retention and infiltration, improved soil resistance to compaction, and a reduction in seed-propagated weeds. Longer-term effects have proven even more significant: in some fields, a 0.5% increase in humus content was recorded over five years—an important indicator of progress for Sudarević.
Economically, the transition was not without risks, but it turned out to be possible to significantly reduce production costs—both in fuel and labour—without negatively impacting yields. Although the market still does not recognise the added value of products grown using regenerative methods, Sudarević expresses confidence that more work needs to be done in this direction, particularly in consumer education and the creation of clearer standards.
He highlights social stigma and misunderstanding in the community as one of the main obstacles, where abandoning the conventional model is often met with suspicion or ridicule.
Nevertheless, thanks to the tangible results and growing availability of knowledge, Sudarević believes that the circle of farmers open to regenerative approaches will continue to grow—especially among those facing drought, depleted soils, and increasing dependence on costly external inputs.
What does regenerative agriculture mean in practice?
Regenerative agriculture is more of a way of thinking than a fixed set of rules. The key criterion remains whether a given practice contributes to soil regeneration and the improvement of ecosystems.
In Vojvodina, common practices include the use of cover crops to prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and return organic matter; reduced or no-tillage to preserve soil structure and microbial activity; crop rotation and intercropping to disrupt pest and disease cycles and enhance the diversity of plant residues in the soil; and limited use of chemical inputs, with an emphasis on biological control methods. Agroforestry and protective shelterbelts, although still rare in Vojvodina, are also part of this approach, combining perennial plants with crop farming to protect and enrich the ecosystem.
These practices are not applied as a universal package but are instead adapted to local agroecological conditions and the specific needs of each farm.
Fertility under pressure
Vojvodina, although known for its fertile chernozem soils, is increasingly facing soil degradation. Over the past 60 years, humus content has declined from 5% to 2–3%, threatening soil fertility and the microorganisms essential for healthy soil.
The main causes include intensive mechanisation, insufficient organic matter input, narrow crop rotation, and excessive use of chemicals. In addition to chemical degradation, physical degradation caused by soil compaction reduces the soil’s ability to retain water and air.
Preserving soil fertility is becoming an economic issue, which is why there is growing interest in alternative approaches such as regenerative agriculture.
Why are farmers cautious?
Although the idea of regenerative agriculture is increasingly present in expert and political circles, it still provokes hesitation among many farmers in Vojvodina.
One of the main reasons for scepticism is economic risk. Implementing new practices, such as cover cropping or switching to reduced tillage, requires investment in seeds, machinery, and knowledge. As farmers say: “Farming is a thin margin business“.
Existing advisory services are rarely equipped to provide guidance on regenerative practices, while professional seminars and workshops remain limited in scope and accessibility. Although there is interest, many producers complain that they lack concrete technical support—how to introduce new methods without jeopardising current production.
Slow return on investment is an additional obstacle. In a system where subsidies and market prices are subject to frequent changes, small and medium-sized producers can hardly afford to experiment. In the absence of financial incentives or guarantees, switching to new practices remains primarily an option for those with surplus capital, a higher tolerance for risk, or additional income sources.
Finally, social and cultural factors also play a role. Regenerative practices often require changing decades-old routines and ways of thinking. Among the older generations—those managing the largest land areas—there is strong resistance to methods that “don’t plough” or “don’t spray enough.”
For all these reasons, although there is a clear need for more sustainable practices, the transition process remains slow and fragmented.
Institutional support
In Serbia, institutional support for regenerative practices is still underdeveloped. Although certain programmes from the Ministry of Agriculture and provincial secretariats provide subsidies for machinery and organic production, regenerative agriculture as a distinct category is not recognised within existing policy measures.
Professional support can be found sporadically—advisory services, universities, and some non-governmental organisations address soil conservation—but there is a lack of systematic education and practical training focused on regenerative principles.
From the farmer’s perspective, Sudarević points out that there is significant room for improvement, primarily through clearer guidelines, education, and concrete financial support for those wishing to transition to this more sustainable method of production.
Perspectives and obstacles
Despite growing interest in regenerative approaches, most farmers in Vojvodina remain cautious. The reasons for this are manifold. Most frequently cited are the high initial costs—especially for specialized machinery—as well as the uncertainty of return on investment. “In the first years, you don’t know if the soil will actually recover or if you’ve just lost a season,” says a farmer from the Sombor area who experimented with cover crops, who asked to remain anonymous.
Scepticism is further reinforced by the lack of local examples with measurable results, as well as the limited availability of expert support. While some agronomists are familiar with the basics of the regenerative concept, their knowledge is often not aligned with the actual conditions on the ground. Farmers emphasise that they have learned the most from exchanging experiences with one another rather than through official channels.
Nevertheless, where results have become visible—such as an increase in soil organic matter or a reduction in fuel use—a new wave of motivation is emerging. Some producers state that improved drought resistance in crops was the key factor in continuing with the new methods.
Understanding the obstacles that producers perceive as real is the first step toward shaping policies and support systems that could facilitate the shift towards a more regenerative model.
There is clear potential for regenerative approaches—but only if the current momentum is accompanied by ongoing education, realistic case studies, and support during the transition period.
More
From Farmers for Farmers – and for Healthy Societies on a Planet Conducive to Life
Portugal | Regenerative Heritage Grains – From Soil To Bread
Manifesto for Regenerative Agriculture Adopted at Climate Farming Congress
Rural Europe Takes Action | Regenerative Governance in Rural Spain
Regenerative Agriculture part 1 | Resources Must Be Replenished
Regenerative Agriculture part 2 | A Soils-First Farming & Food Policy
Regenerative Agriculture part 3 | Working With Nature, Not Suppressing It
