Studies

Studies

Enhancing Cost Savings and Crop Performance

TANIT’s approach to regenerative agriculture is to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to create geo-specific recommendations on ecosystems that get created when farmers intercrop. Our focus is on fruits and vegetables.

The Integrated Trophic Design (ITD) Approach

Intercropping provides significant and proven advantages in crop and soil performance, as well as cost savings, over the long-term as farmers reduce their reliance on the ‘dead’ investment of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. ITD is an AI-powered way to provide location-specific recommendations on the design of intercropped ‘microplots’ that can be quickly scaled. Below is a detailed overview of how intercropping can benefit various types of crops, supported by references.

1. Vegetables

Tomatoes

  • Increased Yield: Research by the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture found that regenerative practices such as intercropping and organic amendments can boost tomato yields by up to 25%. This study demonstrated that improved soil health and biodiversity contribute to higher productivity.
  • Soil Health Improvement: According to the Rodale Institute, regenerative practices enhance soil structure and water retention, which are critical for crop resilience and yield improvement.
  • Cost Savings: A study by the University of California estimated that switching to organic farming methods can save approximately €500 per hectare annually on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Lettuce

    • Enhanced Quality: The Organic Farming Research Foundation reports that organic and regenerative practices lead to a 15% improvement in lettuce quality, based on enhanced soil conditions and reduced chemical residues.
    • Pest Management: Research from Cornell University indicates that integrated pest management (IPM) can reduce pesticide costs by around €300 per hectare annually while maintaining effective pest control.
    • Economic Efficiency: A review published by Agricultural Systems Journal showed a 10-15% reduction in production costs when transitioning from synthetic to organic farming.
2. Fruit Crops

Apples

  • Yield Boost: A study by the American Society of Agronomy found that regenerative practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage can increase apple yields by up to 20%. Improved soil health was cited as a major factor.
  • Disease Resistance: The Integrated Pest Management Institute notes that healthier soils and plants lead to greater disease resistance, saving about €600 per hectare annually on fungicides.
  • Long-Term Savings: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that transitioning to regenerative agriculture can result in savings of up to €3,000 per hectare over 5 years due to reduced synthetic inputs and improved crop performance.

Strawberries

    • Yield and Quality: According to Fruit Crop Journal, regenerative methods can increase strawberry yields by up to 30% and improve fruit quality due to enhanced soil health and organic practices.
    • Pest and Disease Management: Research from University of Georgia suggests that adopting regenerative practices reduces pesticide costs by approximately €400 per hectare and lowers crop losses through better pest management.
    • Sustainable Profitability: A study published in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems indicated a 20% reduction in overall production costs due to decreased reliance on synthetic inputs and enhanced crop yields.
Economic Impact of Reduced Synthetic Inputs
  • Fertilizers: Data from The Organic Center shows that traditional synthetic fertilizers cost between €200 to €700 per hectare annually. Switching to organic alternatives can lead to savings of approximately €300 to €600 per hectare.
  • Pesticides: The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition reports that synthetic pesticides can cost between €150 to €500 per hectare annually. By adopting natural pest control methods, farmers can save around €200 to €400 per hectare.
  • Overall Cost Reduction: According to the World Resources Institute, farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture can achieve a total reduction in input costs by 20-30%, which includes savings on fertilizers, pesticides, and additional benefits from improved crop yields and quality.
Case Studies and Research

1.Tomato Production:

  • Case Study: Rodale Institute published a study on regenerative agriculture practices that showed a 25% increase in tomato yields when implementing cover crops and organic amendments. The study attributed these results to improved soil health and reduced soil erosion. Reference: Rodale Institute Study on Tomatoes
  • Research: Cornell University found that integrated pest management (IPM) methods combined with regenerative practices reduced pesticide costs by €300 per hectare annually, while still maintaining effective pest control and crop quality. Reference: Cornell University IPM Research

2.Lettuce Production:

  • Case Study: A study published in the Organic Farming Research Foundation demonstrated that lettuce grown using regenerative methods had a 15% improvement in quality and taste, attributed to healthier soil and reduced chemical residues. Reference: Organic Farming Research Foundation Lettuce Study
  • Research: University of California research indicated that transitioning from synthetic to organic farming methods resulted in savings of approximately €500 per hectare annually on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Reference: University of California Organic Farming Study

3.Apple Production:

  • Case Study: Research by the American Society of Agronomy showed that regenerative practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage led to a 20% increase in apple yields. The study highlighted improved soil health and reduced compaction as key factors. Reference: American Society of Agronomy Apple Study
  • Research: Integrated Pest Management Institute noted that regenerative practices improved disease resistance in apple orchards, saving about €600 per hectare annually on fungicides. Reference: Integrated Pest Management Institute Apple Research

4.Strawberry Production:

  • Case Study: A study in the Fruit Crop Journal found that regenerative methods led to a 30% increase in strawberry yields and improved fruit quality due to enhanced soil health and organic practices. Reference: Fruit Crop Journal Strawberry Study
  • Research: University of Georgia found that regenerative practices reduced pesticide costs by approximately €400 per hectare and decreased crop losses through better pest management. Reference: University of Georgia Strawberry Research

5.Corn Production:

  • Case Study: Research from Michigan State University showed that corn yields increased by 18% using regenerative practices such as reduced tillage and the application of biochar. This improvement was linked to enhanced soil fertility and structure. Reference: Michigan State University Corn Study
  • Research: A report by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition indicated that regenerative practices could save up to €400 per hectare annually on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, contributing to overall cost reductions. Reference: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Corn Report

6.Wheat Production:

  • Case Study: The Land Institute reported a 22% increase in wheat yields when using regenerative agriculture practices, including diverse crop rotations and cover cropping. These methods improved soil organic matter and nutrient availability. Reference: The Land Institute Wheat Study
  • Research: Australian National University found that regenerative practices could reduce fertilizer costs by €250 per hectare annually, with improved soil health leading to better wheat yields and quality. Reference: Australian National University Wheat Research

7.Soybean Production:

    • Case Study: A study by University of Illinois showed that regenerative practices such as reduced tillage and the use of cover crops increased soybean yields by 15% and reduced input costs by €350 per hectare annually. Reference: University of Illinois Soybean Study
    • Research: Penn State University found that transitioning to regenerative methods resulted in savings of approximately €400 per hectare on synthetic pesticides and herbicides, with improvements in soil health and crop performance. Reference: Penn State University Soybean Research