The declaration of 2015 as the International Year of Soils by the United Nations aims to highlight the importance of soil health to food security. Nowhere is this more important than in sub-Saharan Africa, according to an article in The Guardian.

“Healthy soils are the cornerstone of a healthy food system,” says the article. Yet soil health “has been largely neglected by governments and donors.”

In sub-Saharan Africa, 180 million people rely on depleted soils to grow their food. As the population increases and there is more competition for land together with changes in climate, African farmers need strategies for better land management.

With proper land management, such as conservation farming and agroforestry, soils can not only be made more productive, they can also capture a significant amount of carbon from the atmosphere. Sadly, the uptake of uptake of appropriate land management practices remains low.

The article outlines how a new report from the Montpellier Panel provides recommendations on how long-term investments in land management can pay off for farmers and the environment. The report suggests that payment for ecosystem services schemes and strengthening farmers’ rights over land can encourage positive land management decisions. It also highlights the need for investment in soil research in Africa to build food security.

Read the full story: Soil isn't sexy – but it could explain hunger in Africa

See also: The simplicity of light is revolutionising the measurement of soil health