- CATIE’s IPRA tool (Integrated Profitability & Risk Assessment) provides region-specific data for Latin America and the Caribbean, helping farmers evaluate which regenerative practices like agroforestry or cover cropping maximize returns while reducing risk.
- Users can simulate different regenerative strategies over time, adjusting variables (e.g., crop mix, labor costs, carbon pricing) to forecast outcomes under changing climate or market conditions.
- Beyond profit, IPRA quantifies ecosystem benefits like improved soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, along with social impacts such as job creation and food security, aligning farmer decisions with broader sustainability goals.
- By generating robust, data-backed evidence on the viability of regenerative systems, the tool empowers governments, NGOs, and investors to design effective incentives, subsidies, or loan programs tailored to promote sustainable agriculture in the region.
The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) has unveiled a pioneering tool that could significantly transform regenerative agriculture across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Known as the IPRA (Integral Platform for Regenerative Agriculture), the tool is designed to assess, guide, and support sustainable farming practices throughout the region.
Developed with input from agricultural experts, scientists, and local stakeholders, the IPRA tool offers a comprehensive, evidence-based framework to evaluate farming systems. It focuses on key areas such as soil health, biodiversity conservation, water management, and socio-economic impact. The aim is to encourage land use practices that regenerate ecosystems while improving productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.
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One of the tool’s key strengths lies in its adaptability. Whether applied on smallholder farms or larger operations, IPRA can be tailored to various crops, climates, and landscapes. This flexibility makes it highly relevant for a region as diverse as LAC, where agricultural challenges vary widely.
CATIE envisions the IPRA tool as a central component in scaling regenerative agriculture across the region. By providing a standardised way to measure the effectiveness of sustainable practices, the tool empowers farmers, researchers, and policymakers to make informed decisions that contribute to climate resilience and food security.
In an era of mounting environmental pressures, CATIE’s IPRA tool represents a timely and strategic response bridging scientific innovation with practical solutions on the ground.
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