A document released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Soil Science Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS), have said, soil degradation from climate change and human activity poses risks on food security in the face of surging population, if measures are not taken to correct it.
This, it said, puts excessive pressure on water resources.
The document released ahead of the December 5th World Soil Day, said sustainable soil management practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping, improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and enhance water infiltration and storage.
It noted that soils are directly and indirectly involved in the provision of most ecosystem services vital for humans, including food production, which is fundamental for food security and sovereignty.
According to the document, soil provides living space for humans, as well as essential ecosystem services which are important for water regulation and supply, climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and cultural services.
“Soils are directly and indirectly involved in the provision of most ecosystem services vital for humans, including food production, which is fundamental for food security and sovereignty”.
“Soils are the basis for producing more than 95 percent of our food, according to the analysis of data available in FAOSTAT (FAO, 2022). But soils are under pressure from increases in population, higher demands for food and competing land uses.
“Over 33 percent of agricultural land is degraded due to erosion, loss of organic carbon and biodiversity, salinization, acidification, compaction, and nutrient imbalance, among other causes (FAO and ITPS, 2015)”, the document said.