A systematic review of multi-actor sociocultural perceptions of regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture (RA) has increased in global attention and is frequently promoted as a production approach that fosters ecological care and offers a socially resilient alternative to industrial production. The initial impetus for RA has stemmed from farmer-led agency, which has driven innovation and articulated opportunities and aspirations for the social dimension. However, the prevailing producer-centric focus in research obscures RA's broader sociocultural implications and hinders inclusive value chain governance. Existing empirical research leaves stakeholder perspectives fragmented and provides only uneven understandings of RA's social meaning, cultural legitimacy, and anticipated sociocultural dimensions. Foregrounded in stakeholder theory, this systematic review synthesises sociocultural perceptions of RA across a range of actors, such as farmers, industry professionals and government, identifying five sociocultural themes: (1) Ethic of care and responsibility, (2) livelihood pathways, (3) relational infrastructures, (4) evolving mindsets, learning cultures, and advocacy, and (5) place-based legitimacy. These themes provide a baseline for assessing social sustainability-related dimensions alongside environmental and economic outcomes. Findings show that producers dominate the perceptual landscape, while policymakers, financial institutions, retailers, consumers, and intermediaries remain sparse. By advancing a sociocultural perceptions frame, we provide a foundation for future research to move beyond ‘adoption’ metrics toward the co-creation of social value and systemic legitimacy.