World Soil Day – Soil, where food begins
Every year, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations holds a ‘World Soil Day’ during which it aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems, and our wellbeing, by addressing growing challenges in soil management and encouraging societies to improve soil health. Held on the 5th of December, this year’s theme is: ‘Soils: Where Food Begins’.
Throughout the world, soil nutrient loss is a major degradation process threatening nutrition. It is recognised as being among the most critical problems at a global level for food security and sustainability around the world. When soils are degraded and nutrients are not replenished they lose their capacity to nurture life.
What can we do?
We at Koppert are fully aware of this and endeavor to promote healthy soils in which healthy crops and biodiversity can thrive. We do this through our biostimulants that promote soil health and a resilient root system. We also provide biological alternatives for chemical agents to combat pests and diseases in a way that does not impact on soil life. In this we are a partner of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Key strategies to promote healthy soil:
- Adopting long term sustainable soil management practices
- Protecting the soil-food web
- Committing to nutrient recycling
- Opting for biological pest management
Adding organic matter to the soil instead of artificial fertilisers is the only way to protect our future, and help plants to become stronger and healthier, effectively benefitting human health and ensuring food security.
Did you know that?
- 95% of our food comes from soils.
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18 naturally occurring chemical elements are essential to plants. Soils supply 15.
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Agricultural production will have to increase by 60% to meet the global food demand in 2050. 
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33% of soils are degraded. 
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Up to 58% more food could be produced through sustainable soil management.
(statistics provided by the FAO)