be•soil

Monitoring soil regeneration in Belgium

What we’re working on

“Regenerative” is claimed by a growing number of frameworks and labels. Most focus on practices rather than outcomes, which leads to contradictions, inflated claims, and confusion.Yet soil regeneration is, at its core, about restoring soil microbiology—and very few actually measure it.

What's behind the gap

1. No common framework

Existing soil-microbiology analysis methods are often too complex, costly, or unreliable. There’s been no consensus on how to measure outcomes.

2. Insufficient lab infrastructure

Biology changes fast with temperature, moisture, light, oxygen and delay. Proximity of microbiology labs matters.

Why Belgium - and why now?

Belgium’s scale enables coordinated implementation at the national level. With Pachalab asbl now fully operational and the SVI framework established, the pieces are in place for a nation-wide observatory.

Framework

Soil Vitality Index (SVI)

The Soil Vitality Index (SVI) is a new and open framework to assess soil vitality, calibrated for Belgian conditions.

OUTCOME-BASED: measures biological progress, not farming practices.
CREDIBLE: co-developed with researchers. Standardized, lab-led sampling.
PRACTICAL & AFFORDABLE: effortless for farmers, low-cost by design.

How it works

ENROLL: Register your parcel, pay online, and commit for at least 2 years.
WE ANALYSE: The lab handles on-site sampling and analysis.
GET RECOGNISED: Your parcel earns a status and yearly updates.

Recognition Statuses

Year 1

Engaged

Recognition starts the moment you commit to measuring. If your soil microbiology is already advanced, you may directly earn Regenerative.

From Year 2

Regenerative

Awarded when the parcel shows measurable biological progress year over year, or maintains a strong vitality level.

Pricing

Type of plot	Cost (€) (excl. VAT)
Market-garden plot	€100 + €50 / sample
Field parcel	€100 / parcel + €20 / ha

Example: a 5-ha parcel = €100 + (€20 × 5) = €200 / year (excl. VAT).

A minimum 2‑year commitment is required.
Prices include on-site sampling and analysis anywhere in Belgium.

Program launch, map expansion, and feedback from the field