Healthy soil is achieved through adhering to the many farming practices associated with regenerative agriculture. Planting a variety of crops increases their biomass, meaning more carbon is absorbed into the soil. With this environmental benefit comes, a financial boost for more crops throughout the year means a better distribution of income, as opposed to one sum thanks to an annual harvest.
Recognize the need to reduce emissions from agriculture and enhance agricultural resilience in the face of climate impacts, while also increasing agriculture’s capacity to become a carbon sink. Assess the entire agricultural climate impact, from livestock-related methane emissions, nitrous oxide from rice, deforestation, and carbon dioxide emissions from farm operations to carbon removal through regenerative practices.
BASIC PRACTICES FOR BUILDING AND RESTORING HEALTHY SOILS:
• Reduce soil disturbances like tillage
• Keep the soil covered and avoid having bare soil
• Feed the soil—diversify the biology of the soil through natural inputs
• Maintain living root systems to support underground fungi and soil microbes
• Diversify farming systems and crops
• Prioritize deep-rooted and perennial crops to enhance soil carbon retention
• Limit the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that damage the biology of soils and have other harmful impacts on farm ecosystems and workers
• Manage animals to build rather than deplete the soil
• Protect forests and wetlands by avoiding conversion to agricultural land
A growing number of farmers are focusing on building soil organic carbon and healthy soil, yet many remain unaware of the benefits.
Positive Impacts of Healthy soils
Climate Change Mitigation
Climate change mitigation means avoiding and reducing emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to prevent the planet from warming to more extreme temperatures. By practicing soil health principles 1.5 to 15.6 gigatons of CO2e removed annually by 2030 through agricultural emissions reductions, sustainable intensification of agriculture to halt deforestation, and soil carbon sequestration.
Food Security
Healthy soils increase fertility, yields, and the nutrient value of foods, boosting human health and food access globally. It addresses the challenges of achieving food security globally.
Soil Stability
Restoring soils reduces soil erosion and desertification.
Farmer Livelihoods
Farmers improve yields and reduce the need for costly synthetic inputs when they build healthy soils
Stabilization of Human Migration
Carbon-rich soils help secure water and food production necessary for life, helping reduce a common cause of migration.
All the above-mentioned positive impacts of Healthy soil will push to the sustainability of Agriculture 4.0, where regenerative means are the key for progressing in the agriculture fields. Healthy soil yields great results to the world at large and all its inhabitants.
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