Written by: Thomas Webb
March 2025
Why Biodiversity is the Future
For a long time, farming has been about control. Control the soil, control the pests, control the weather (or at least try to). But what if the secret to better farming wasn’t about control at all? What if the best farms weren’t the ones that fought nature—but worked with it?
The truth is, biodiversity isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s not some bonus feature. It’s the operating system of a thriving farm. And right now, we’re deleting the code. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in farming, affecting productivity, sustainability, and resilience against environmental changes. The integration of diverse plant and animal species into agricultural systems is essential for long-term food security, economic stability, and ecological balance. We’ve built an agricultural system that’s brittle, one drought or disease outbreak away from disaster.
But the good news? We can build a different future. One where farming is more resilient, more profitable, and more sustainable. The only question is: Will we?
Nature Has a Playbook (We Should Read It)
Right now, we’re playing a dangerous game. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), of the approximately 6,000 plant species cultivated for food, fewer than 200 contribute substantially to global food output, and only nine account for 66% of total crop production. That’s like betting everything on one stock in the market. It works—until it doesn’t.
Healthy farms are diverse. Studies show that farms practicing crop diversity can increase yields by up to 20% compared to monoculture systems. The concept of companion planting, where specific plants are grown together to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve nutrient uptake, is an effective strategy to promote biodiversity and strengthen crop resilience. Diverse plant species contribute to soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, improving organic matter, and enhancing microbial activity, which helps sustain long-term agricultural productivity. In essence, a healthy farm becomes a sustainable ecosystem that supports itself, not just a factory.
The Hidden Costs of Monoculture
Chemical pesticides and fertilizers were supposed to be the solution. The way to feed more people, faster. But the more we depend on them, the more we need them. It’s a treadmill, not a strategy.
Instead, smart farmers are letting biodiversity do the work. Farms with diversified crops and habitats attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which help manage pest populations. Research indicates that natural pest control can reduce pesticide use by 30-50%, lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact.
Similarly, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds play a fundamental role in agricultural productivity. According to the FAO, 75% of global food crops rely on animal pollination. However, pollinator populations are declining at unprecedented rates due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.
The implementation of cover crops lock in nutrients—saving money on fertilizer. Diverse plantings make farms more resistant to disease and extreme weather. These aren’t theories. They’re field-tested, real-world solutions that lead to stronger, more profitable farms.
Climate Change is Here- Biodiversity is the Answer
Farmers don’t need a lecture about climate change. They see it every day. Droughts that last too long. Rains that come too hard. Temperatures that swing too fast.
What they need is a way forward. Studies show that polyculture systems—where multiple crops are grown together—exhibit 30% greater resistance to extreme weather conditions than monoculture farms. Agroforestry, a practice that integrates trees and crops, can sequester up to 25% more carbon per hectare while preventing soil erosion. These aren’t small improvements. They’re game-changers.
And yet, most of the world’s farmland ignores these solutions, choosing short-term convenience over long-term survival. That’s not a farming problem. That’s a mindset problem.
"They build systems that are designed to last, not just survive the next season."
The Economic Case of Biodiversity
Farming is a business. And biodiversity isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an economic one. Diversified farming systems reduce dependency on a single crop, decreasing financial risk in case of market price fluctuations or crop failures. Smallholder farmers practicing intercropping and agroecology often report higher incomes and improved livelihoods. Additionally, maintaining genetic diversity in crops preserves traditional and heirloom varieties, ensuring long-term food security.
Right now, 26% (7,745) of livestock breeds are at risk of extinction. When we lose genetic diversity, we lose resilience. That means higher risks, lower yields, and greater dependence on expensive chemicals and supplements. A single disease outbreak can devastate an entire industry.
But here’s the fl ip side: Farms that diversify crops and livestock create more opportunities, not fewer. They gain access to niche markets. They become less dependent on volatile commodity prices. They build systems that are designed to last, not just survive the next season.
The Hard Part (And Why It’s Worth it)
Let’s be honest: Switching to biodiversity-friendly farming isn’t easy. Industrial farming has been optimized for monocultures. The equipment, the supply chains, the subsidies—they all push farmers toward efficiency at the cost of resilience. Farmers looking to diversify face real hurdles. New equipment. New techniques. New markets. It’s a leap. But the alternative? Sticking with a system that’s already breaking down.
For consumers, reduced agricultural biodiversity translates to fewer food choices, lower nutritional quality, and increased vulnerability to food price fluctuations. The decline in diverse crops means that essential micronutrients found in various plant species may become less available, exacerbating malnutrition and health issues, particularly in developing countries. Research suggests that a loss of plant diversity in diets correlates with increased rates of diet-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, due to a heavier reliance on processed staple crops.
Poor and marginalized communities are hit hardest by these changes, as they often depend on biodiversity for food, medicine, and economic stability. Indigenous and rural populations, who have traditionally relied on a variety of native crops and medicinal plants, face food insecurity as these species disappear. It’s crazy to imagine that the areas that grow our food are that same ones that are the most food insecurity. What is wrong with this picture?
The Simple Steps to a Smarter Farm
So where do we start? Not with perfection. With momentum. Here’s how:
- Crop Rotation & Intercropping: A diverse field is a healthy field. Diff rent plants, different seasons, better soil, better yields.
Rotating different crops in the same field and planting multiple crops together can improve soil fertility, reduce pests, and increase biodiversity.
- Agroforestry: More trees, more carbon capture, better soil, more resilient farms.
Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems provides habitats for wildlife, improves soil structure, and enhances carbon sequestration.
- Cover Crops: No more bare soil. Keep it covered, keep it healthy.
Growing cover crops such as clover or legumes between main crop cycles helps prevent soil erosion, enhances nutrient content, and supports pollinators.
- Integrated Pest Management: Less chemistry, more biology. Let nature do the work.
Minimizing synthetic inputs and opting for organic or biological alternatives helps maintain soil microbial diversity and supports beneficial insects.
- Pollinator Support: Bees, butterflies, and birds aren’t extras—they’re essential. Protect their habitats, and they’ll protect your crops.
Creating buffer zones, planting wildflower strips, and maintaining hedgerows provide refuges for pollinators and other beneficial organisms.
- Water Conservation and Management: Measure and optimize
Implementing sustainable irrigation techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation, helps maintain aquatic biodiversity and reduces water waste.
Policy, Markets, and the Bigger Picture
Farming doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by policy, consumer demand, and the marketplace. Here’s what needs to change:
- Government Incentives for Biodiversity: Providing financial support to farmers who adopt biodiversity-friendly practices encourages sustainable farming.
- Education & Training: Increasing awareness and offering training on agroecological methods help farmers transition to sustainable practices.
- Consumer-Driven Change: Encouraging consumers to purchase diverse, locally grown foods helps maintain agricultural biodiversity.
- Stronger Environmental Protections: Implementing policies that prevent deforestation and land degradation can help maintain ecosystems that support agriculture.
The Big Ideas: This Isn’t Just Farming’s Problem
This isn’t just about farmers. It’s about everyone who eats. By fostering biodiversity in farming, we can build resilient agricultural systems that support both human livelihoods and ecological health. Sustainable farming practices are not only beneficial for food production but are also essential for maintaining a balanced and thriving planet. Addressing biodiversity loss now is crucial to ensuring a stable food supply and a healthier future for all.
The good news? We already know the answer. We already know how to build a better system. The only thing left is to do it. The question isn’t whether we can afford to invest in biodiversity. It’s whether we can afford not to.
Who We Are
At Victory Farms, we are an impact investment manager dedicated to transforming agriculture through regenerative practices. Our mission is to lead the way in converting traditional farming systems to regenerative agriculture, driving environmental, social, and economic impact. By investing in innovative solutions that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable practices, we aim to build a resilient food system that restores the land, empowers local communities, and produces healthy, nutritious food for the future. We believe that investing in regeneration is not just a path to better agriculture, but a strategy for long-term impact and lasting change.