Ruben Jorge is the manager of Carvalhal, a farm in the Castelo Branco region of Portugal. Since 2021, he has been on a mission to regenerate his land.
We spoke with Ruben to understand his motivations, learnings, and outcomes.
Farmer
Ruben Jorge
Location
Castelo Branco, Portugal
Type of farm
Arable and agroforestry
Produce
Pistachios and chestnuts
Farm name
Carvalhal
Farm size
52 hectares
Social structure
Association
Sales channels
Markets and grocery stores
History of Carvalhal
Carvalhal is one part of a wider project that Ruben and his colleagues, known under the brand RH Florestal, have ambitiously pursued.
Their aim is to regenerate farming and forestry land while generating long-term economic, environmental and societal benefits.
“The forest must be valued not only for the material resources it produces but also for the ecosystem services it provides to all of us. We believe that carbon sequestration, conservation of soils, increased biodiversity, and regulation of the water cycle will one day be accounted for.”
Ruben’s transition to regenerative farming
Ruben started the transition of Carvalhal in 2021. He heard more and more about regenerative agriculture through various books and workshops.
After realising the management style could have a huge impact on his land, he began running experiments and testing new techniques.
Transition start date
May 2021.
How did you learn about regenerative agriculture?
Various books, articles, podcasts and workshops.
Necessary investments
- Tree seeds
- Mower / 20,000 €
New practices implemented
Mulching, residue management, reduced herbicide and fertiliser application, no harrow usage, and increased diversity of tree species.
The benefits of regenerative agriculture
Ruben lacks data on how the land was performing before he took it over in 2019. However, from then until now, the impact of regenerative agriculture has shone through.
From dramatically reducing water usage to increasing soil organic matter, the farm has already experienced a cascade of positive outcomes.
Farm profitability
- 25% reduction in irrigation water
- Soil restoration remunerated
through Carbon+ Credits.
Social impact
- Happiness in his job
- Satisfaction when seeing the ecosystem improve
Ecological benefits
- 1.5% increase in organic matter
- More noticeable presence of biodiversity
- Reduced soil erosion and increased water retention.
Further expected benefits
- Reduced labour
- Increased margins for produce
Ruben’s thoughts on the Carbon+ Program
Carvalhal has achieved some brilliant results over the past two years. But obstacles remain.
According to Ruben, one of the biggest challenges lies in the profitability of forestry. He states: “Given the lack of public and private support, investment in forest conservation is impractical unless an extremely long-term perspective is adopted.”
The association has introduced a variety of fruit trees to address the issue. However, it requires initial investment and takes several years to generate income.
Ruben is using our Carbon+ Program to access an additional income stream during his transition to regenerative farming.
Planned additional practices
Cover crops, organic matter application, increased residue management, and agroforestry.
Earning estimates
Between 5,000€ – 15,000 € per year
(subject to carbon sequestration)
Closing remarks
Whether it’s extreme weather conditions or low margins, challenges are increasingly an everyday reality for farmers.
Through our Carbon+ Program, you can improve the health of your farm and boost your bottom line. In turn, you’ll be significantly better positioned in the years to come.
Do you want support for implementing regenerative agriculture?
