Soil health has been one of the hottest topics within the field of sustainability over the past decade. Several international organizations, governments and research institutions are working together towards development of sustainable soil management practices .
These are only some of the countless initiatives that fuel this global movement.
- The United Nations ( International Year of Soils, 2015)
It was an important campaign aimed at raising awareness of soils and providing the world with information on why soils matter for food security, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. It resulted in countless educational programs, research projects and policy changes aimed at preserving and improving soil health. - World Soil Day (5th December):
Organized every year, it reminds us of the crucial role soil has in our lives. World Soil Day was first declared in 2002, promoting its awareness and reflection upon the broad spectrum of issues that soil degradation presents .Each year has a theme; 2021’s was “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity,” while that for 2022 was “Soils: Where food begins”. In 2024 the theme is “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage “.This year’s campaign emphasises the urgent need for accurate soil data to drive sustainable soil management practices for global food security and environmental resilience.
- FAO’s Global Soil Partnership (GSP):
Launched in 2012, the GSP provides a platform for collaborative action among stakeholders at all levels. Moreover, it facilitates sharing knowledge and top practices as well as technologies to improve soil quality and sustainable agriculture. GSP has been instrumental in the development of the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management, soil data and information sharing functions and capacity building.
This initiative and many others at the regional and national scales are scaffolding a global network of soil stewards. They are giving farmers, lawmakers and the public what they need to act to protect this vital resource.
The Threats to Soil Health
Despite growing awareness and concerted efforts, soil health is under serious pressure from a wide range of threats.
- Environmental degradation:
The world is faced with a global crisis of land degradation, most significantly due to unsustainable agricultural practices and deforestation and urbanization. More than a third of the planet’s soils are degraded — and that number keeps rising. Our soil is losing its lifeblood to factors like erosion, nutrient depletion and pollution, putting food production and ecosystem services at risk. - Rising Salinity:
Soils become saline when salts dissolve and accumulate, particularly due to irrigation with saline water or poor drainage, which is now a major threat to productivity. Saline soil stops plant growth, reduces crop yield, and may cause land abandonment. It is also true for arid and semi-arid regions; in these areas, water stress coupled with evaporative loss of moisture act to exacerbate salinization. - Climate Change:
The impacts of climate change, such as increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising temperatures and changing patterns in precipitation all present challenges to soil health. These changes can accelerate soil erosion, disturb soil biological processes and change the availability of water and nutrients.
In order to solve those threats for our soil, we need a three approach solution with sustainable land management practices, the use of innovative technologies and supportive policy interventions. Soils therefore need to be protected, but only by addressing issues from all directions can we maintain soil health for generation after generation.
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Soil Health Innovations:
Here are a handful of noteworthy innovations transforming how we care for our soils:
- Precision Agriculture :
To increase the crop yields farmers adopt some environment-friendly methods: one of them is Precision Agriculture, a technology-based approach that not only monitors soil but also air and water conditions via sensors, drones, global positioning systems (GPS) to provide field-level management regarding crop practices. Moreover, the application of precision agriculture allows for more efficient use of water, fertilizers and pesticides, thus reducing environmental impact. For instance, farmers can use soil sensors to measure nutrient levels and disperse fertilizers only in areas that require it, minimizing runoff and pollution. - Biological Soil Amendments:
The rapid emergence of biofertilizers, biopesticides and soil probiotics has created a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals. Using beneficial microorganisms to improve soil fertility, suppress pests and diseases, and improve soil structure; And by supporting a healthy microbiome, they enhance long-term soil health and reduce use of toxic chemicals. - Regenerative Agriculture:
A holistic approach to agriculture that focuses on sustaining and enhancing soil health by mimicking natural systems. Cover cropping, no-till farming, crop rotation and agroforestry all improve soil structure and organic matter content as well as biodiversity. Regenerative agriculture part of the soil health phenomena, helps to address climate change through carbon sequestration underground.
These models are part of an approach to foster innovation advantage with sustainable and traditional knowledge systems for more resilient and productive agricultural system.
My Opinion:
As a soil scientist, lab work was my life — sifting through soil samples and peering into the microscope to see what lay within those tiny particles. But something was missing. The sterile environment, the dispassionate detachment — it just didn’t jibe with my passion for the earth. I wanted “the soil”, I wanted to see “soil’s life-giving power in action”.
That was when I discovered the power of illustration. It also meant that through art I could open a window into the fascinating intricacies of soil science and populate it with the world that exists below our feet. The microbes, soil food webs, fragile balance of nutrients — suddenly all of it was alive on the canvas.
This newfound fasciation led me to sustainable agriculture, where I’ve met farmers, researchers and activists who insist that our soils be protected and restored . Their stories, struggles and triumphs moved me to serve as a bridge between the science community and the rest of us.
Innovative solutions I’ve seen for soils from America’s Midwest, where farmers are embracing no-till and planting cover crops to rebuild organic matter content in their soils, to Australia’s arid reaches, where innovative irrigation techniques help keep salinization at bay; and on India’s colorful fields, where much traditional knowledge is being revived along with natural and organic practices.
These experiences shaped my perspective and reinforced my commitment to being a steward of soil. We are all in this together, so I think when science and art work hand in hand we can offer people a better insight into the land and nature that will inspire them to make some changes. And it turns out the soil health is indivisibly linked to the planet’s health and future generations’ well-being.
Call to Action: Be a Soil Steward
The health of our soils determines the future of our planet.
- WHAT YOU CAN DO?
- Support sustainable agriculture:
Choose sustainably grown food, such as organic farming, regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. Support local farmers who care about their soil. - Compost Your Food Scraps:
Composting reduces waste, enriches soil and helps sequester carbon. - Plant a Garden:
Growing your own food connects you to the earth and allows you to witness all the soil magic that happens in real time. - Educate You and Others:
Soils health knowledge is important; learn for yourself or suggest your family/friends/community to study about it. - Cattle Schindlers :
I don’t raise cattle, but I’ll be there to break cattle out of confinement if necessary.
- Support sustainable agriculture:
Together, we are creating a world in which healthy soils nourish diverse ecosystems and produce resilient food systems for generations.
