Although often overlooked, healthy soil is an important part of conservation. In fact, soil hosts more than 25 percent of our planet’s biodiversity and counteracts climate change by sequestering carbon. While seemingly homogenous, soil itself is an ecosystem—it comprises complex communities of organisms working together to maintain its health. When properly managed, it will provide nutrients for plant growth, absorb and hold rainwater, filter and buffer potential pollutants, and serve as the basis for productive agriculture, all while providing a habitat for animals, insects, invertebrates, bacteria, and fungi. In essence, soil health is a fundamental building block not only for successful agriculture but for any healthy ecosystem.
Conventional agriculture can often employ unsustainable soil management practices, such as the overuse of chemicals and the reduction of organic matter inputs, intensive tilling, removing vegetation cover, and mono-cropping. Over time, these practices can create a vicious cycle that degrades soil quality, reduces productivity, and releases carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Regenerative practices, however, have the potential to allow producers to work with the land— not against it—to improve soil health and the resilience of food systems. When done correctly, regenerative agriculture practices can aid in carbon sequestration, improve the soil’s essential nitrogen and phosphorus content, and increase soil moisture. Many of these practices, such as improving soil surface coverage, using low-cost technology to test soil, and diversifying crops, are knowledge intensive and require training. Behavior change amongst smallholder farmers can be, understandably, slow to take hold. Securing farmers’ buy-in only happens through concrete evidence that demonstrate the economic benefits. However, once there are positive results, most farmers are eager to adapt their production. Read More