On World Soil Day – 5 November – an article on the CGIAR Consortium website looks at the growing recognition of the importance of soil in improved food security and sustainable intensification.

In many parts of the world, soils are “threatened by urbanization, deforestation, poor agricultural practices, pollution and overgrazing, leaving them bare, degraded and unproductive,” says the article. It is estimated that the world loses 24 billion tons of fertile soil each year.

Agriculture is a prime cause of land degradation and soil depletion, and this poses serious problems for smallholder farmers across the world.

Several CGIAR Centers are engaged in research aimed at reversing land degradation and improving soil health. Among these is the World Agroforestry Centre which is working with farmers to determine locally appropriate soil management options, including the integration of trees and shrubs into farms, to address commonly encountered soil problems like erosion, compaction and acidity.

The Centre has also developed new techniques for monitoring the health of soils, especially in Africa, using infra-red technology, X-rays and laser technology. Through the Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS), scientists from the Centre have helped to develop detailed maps, databases and soil assessments to help in making site-specific recommendations for boosting food production.

Another area of research by CGIAR Centers is in the way properly managed soils can increase the amount of carbon stored, offering great potential for climate change mitigation. Increased soil carbon also contributes to higher agricultural output and therefore greater food security.

Read the full story: Soil power – celebrating World Soil Day