Global food systems are increasingly vulnerable due to biodiversity loss, which threatens agricultural resilience and productivity. Biodiversity supports essential ecosystem services—from pollination to soil health—that are critical for stable crop yields. Yet, over 50% of U.S. cropland is dedicated to just two crops: corn and soybeans, leading to monoculture-driven soil degradation [1]. Alarmingly, one-third of the fertilizer applied to corn is used merely to compensate for declining soil fertility. This overreliance on synthetic inputs contributes to nutrient runoff, pest vulnerability, and long-term yield instability. To reverse this trend, integrating biodiversity-enhancing practices such as organic fertilization and crop diversification is essential. However, regulatory incentives alone are insufficient; sustainable change requires economically and technical viable solutions.
Anaerobic digestion offers a promising circular solution. Globally, over 85 million tons of digestate are produced annually from biogas plants [1]. This nutrient-rich byproduct serves as an organic fertilizer that improves soil structure, enhances microbial biodiversity, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Digestate-based fertilizers release nutrients more slowly, minimizing leaching and pollution risks while improving water retention and soil health [1]. Simultaneously, the anaerobic digestion process generates renewable biogas, offering farms a dual benefit: reduced waste disposal costs and new revenue streams. This model aligns environmental stewardship with financial sustainability, making it a scalable strategy for regenerative agriculture and an AI-optimized resilient closed loop FARM-to-FUEL Future.
