Attachments
SUMMARY
SOILS ARE THE ESSENCE OF LIFE, SUSTAINING HUMANS, PLANTS AND ANIMALS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. AS THE SOURCE OF THE FOOD WE EAT AND HOME AND HABITAT FOR MUCH OF THE PLANET’S FLORA AND FAUNA, SOIL IS A PRECIOUS RESOURCE.
Soils’ varying properties, diverse qualities and characteristics directly influence the quality and amount of food that farmers grow. In effect, healthy and fertile soils are fundamental in the effort to reduce food insecurity, create viable rural livelihoods and sustainably manage ecosystems.
The contribution of soil to alleviating many of today’s pressing challenges, however, is overlooked. Undervalued, soils have become politically and physically neglected, triggering land degradation. Affecting nearly one-third of the earth’s land area, land degradation reduces the productive capacity of agricultural land by eroding topsoil and depleting nutrients1 resulting in enormous environmental, social and economic costs. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) an estimated 180 million people are affected,2 while the economic loss due to land degradation is estimated at $68 billion per year.3,4
Most critically, land degradation reduces soil fertility leading to lower yields, and increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Africa, the impacts are substantial: 65% of of arable land, 30% of grazing land and 20% of forests are already damaged.5 The burden is disproportionately carried by smallholder farmers because natural soil characteristics, tenuous land security and limited access to markets and financial resources prompt farmers to make short-term trade-offs that reduce long-term gains.
In many cases the limited use of fertiliser and poor land management practices are to blame. Rectifying these is required in order to achieve sustainable yields over time. Yet, African farmers need to strike the right balance between adequate and affordable nutrient management and minimising environmental impacts. Central to reversing land degradation and enhancing depleted soils, farmers require incentives for investing in land; these remain unattractive at present.
With more secure land rights, improved education and training, farmers could realise the productive, environmental and social rewards that come from long-term investment and stewardship in land. Because Africa’s soils are as diverse and varied as farmers’ individual knowledge, resources and endowments, these must be recognised, enhanced and treated accordingly. Integrated Soil Management (ISM) offers the ability to sustainably intensify production and maximise social, economic and environmental benefits. Globally, soils are under duress and their conservation, restoration and enhancement should be elevated as top priorities on global and national agendas. Increased funding for sustainable land management must be mobilised with greater transparency not only to maximise effectiveness, but to ensure that smallholder farmers receive the full benefits. Climate smart soil management will ultimately help agricultural systems better adapt and build resilience to climate change while minimising GHG emissions and restoring lost carbon to the soil.