Land degradation is a critical global challenge, with over two billion hectares of land affected and significant implications for food security and environmental health.
Dr Hendrik Smith, a conservation agriculture facilitator at Asset Research, emphasised during World Soil Day that implementing regenerative agriculture principles is one of the most important investments farmers can make to ensure long-term soil health. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that every year, 12 million hectares of fertile soil are degraded, amounting to 24 billion tons lost annually due to erosion. This escalating crisis affects 1.5 billion people globally, underlining the urgency for sustainable agricultural practices.
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Dr Smith highlighted the incredible ecosystem that exists within soil, describing it as a “living and magical world” teeming with organisms that play vital roles in maintaining its health. From filtering water to preventing flooding, soil ecosystems provide essential services that support agriculture and environmental stability. He noted that regenerative agriculture, rooted in soil conservation, is key to tackling degradation. By focusing on practices that enhance organic matter and reduce tillage, regenerative agriculture improves soil’s capacity to sustain agricultural productivity while preserving its ecological functions.
South African soils, in particular, face heightened risks due to erosion and unsustainable farming practices, leaving them with low resilience to environmental pressures. Dr Smith stressed the urgent need for sustainable soil management to ensure the viability of agriculture and food production. He defined soil health as the soil’s ability to function effectively while adapting to changes caused by human activity or natural events, reiterating that improving soil health is essential for addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining food systems.
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Regenerative agriculture offers a multi-faceted solution, enhancing soil and water health while contributing to climate change mitigation through high carbon sequestration rates. Beyond environmental benefits, it also improves food quality, nutrient density, and farmer profitability.
Dr Smith concluded that regenerative agriculture not only stabilises yields but also strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems, offering a sustainable path forward in combating land degradation and ensuring food security.
