Welcome to part 4 of our mini series promoting #WorldSoilDay on 5th December 2021. In this piece we cover healthy soils. This is part of our series on Growing Sustainably.
You can find all content in this mini series at Mini Series: #WorldSoilDay 2021 Salt Affected Soils.
The source is content for this article is fao.org/documents/card/en/c/645883cd-ba28-4b16-a7b8-34babbb3c505/ and fao.org/resources/infographics/infographics-details/en/c/281883/.
Part 3 of this mini series was the #WorldSoilDay 2021 Video Hub. This time we’re looking at the importance of healthy soils.
Key Facts About Healthy Soils
95% of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils
A shortage of any one of the 15 nutrients required for plant growth can limit crop yield
By 2050, agricultural production must increase by 60% globally – in order to meet food demand alone
Sustainable management of healthy soils could produce up to 58% more food
Healthy Soils Are the Basis for Healthy Food Production
Healthy soils are the foundation of the food system. Our soils are the basis for agriculture and the medium in which nearly all food-producing plants grow. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that in turn nourish people and animals, which means soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity.
With a global population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, compounded by competition for land and water resources, and the impact of climate change, our current and future food security hinges on our ability to increase yields and food quality using the soils that are already under production.
SOURCE: fao.org/resources/infographics/infographics-details/en/c/281883/
What Is Healthy Soil?
Soil health has been defined as the capacity of soil to function as a living system. Healthy soils maintain a diverse community of soil organisms that help to control plant disease, insect and weed pests, form beneficial symbiotic associations with plant roots, recycle essential plant nutrients, improve soil structure with positive effects for soil water and nutrient holding capacity, and ultimately improve crop production. A healthy soil also contributes to mitigating climate change by maintaining or increasing its carbon content.
Read more at Healthy Soils Are the Basis for Healthy Food #WorldSoilDay