HQ Team
December 4, 2022: Key facts to remember on World Soil Day that falls
tomorrow.
- Nearly 2 billion people worldwide suffer from a lack of micronutrients, known as hidden hunger because it is difficult to
detect. - According to the UN, more living organisms are present in a tablespoon of soil than people on earth.
- Soils need a varied supply of nutrients in ample amounts to remain healthy.
- The level of vitamins and nutrients in food has fallen drastically in the last 70 years.
- About 33% of global soils are degraded. Soil nutrient imbalance is one of the leading causes of degradation.
- By 2050, agricultural production must increase by 60% globally to meet food demand alone.
- Sustainable soil management could produce up to 58% more food.
- Up to half of our household waste could be composted to nurture our soil.
- Despite all our technological advancements, humanity still relies on a few centimetres of soil to survive.
- Farmers produce almost 95% of our food in our soils.
- When soils degrade and nutrients are not replenished after a harvest, they lose their capacity to nurture life.
- The loss of soil fertility leads to low crop yield and failure, leading to hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
- When nutrients are in excess, they leak into the environment, polluting water and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
