QuestionResponse
ID7539
Purpose / Type of problemType 2 - Report a problem of Communication and Dialogue
Thematic areaArea  2 - Sustainable agriculture | Agriculture durable
LanguageEnglish
RegionWest Africa
Organization (full name)The "4 per 1000" Initiative on soils for food security and climate.
Organization acronym4per1000
Department / unit
Type of organizationNational Research Institute
CountryFrance
Problem nameDeclining soil health and soil organic carbon stocks
Problem descriptionSoils are considered just a "medium" for plant growth. The focus on short-term top yields and the pressure of cost reduction and output maximization leaves no room for the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices. Regenerative farming is wrongly perceived as providing only long-term benefits in soil health while offering no short-term profits. Due to the prevalence of superficial knowledge of soil and its role in plant yield, farmers are often unaware of the fact that effective management of the interactions within the pedosphere promises better yield, lower costs, and continuous improvement in soil health in the long run.
Problem ConsequencesAs a result of widespread "soil exploitation" in agriculture, organic matter inputs are usually too low, leading to serious soil degradation and erosion hazards. Degradation of soil health leads to dependence on costly external inputs and reduces the overall fertility of the soil and thus the health of the crop. Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy tillage is now considered a major cause of soil biodiversity decline and soil organic matter loss as CO2. Over time, agriculture has become less attractive as an economic activity and a way of life for younger generations in rural areas. All this poses another threat to climate change, food security and food safety. Agricultural innovations in more technologically advanced countries always look for answers in the genetic engineering of seeds instead of looking for the root cause in ecology, as it is easier for agribusiness to make money by selling seeds with promises than to train farmers to change their practices. This dynamic creates a vicious cycle that is detrimental to the promotion of regenerative practices.
Problem ReferencesImplementation strategy for the central objective C2 "soil regeneration" of the "4 per 1000" initiative Objective C2 - Urge Soil Regeneration
Affected group 1Producers
Impact on group 1Decline in soil productivity and increasing dependence on external inputs. Lower soil organic carbon content reduces the ability of soils to store water, shortening the growing season and reducing resistance to drought. Poor soil health reduces, among other things, the ability of to make nutrients available to plants.
Option group 1Adopt ago-ecological production practices.
Reach affected group 1Through competent NGOs and extension services working at the grassroots level, and through training at agricultural colleges and universities.
Affected group 2Consumers
Impact on group 2Declining nutritional value of food resulting in the spread of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer.

Option group 2Increase demand for food of high nutritional value
Reach affected group 2
Affected group 3Life on earth
Impact on group 3Soil organic carbon degradation increases greenhouse gas concentrations. Degradation of soil health impairs its essential life support functions and thus reduces the overall productivity of the terrestrial and aquatic biosphere, particularly its ability to sequester carbon and to cool the atmosphere through increased transpiration and reduced infrared radiation.

Option group 3
Reach affected group 3
Responsible group 1Agro-Food industry
Impact of group 1Lobby to maintain the status quo
Change group 1
Reach responsible group 1
Responsible group 2Consumers
Impact of group 2Demand for cheap food
Change group 2
Reach responsible group 2
Responsible group 3Policy
Impact of group 3Much too little investments into the transition to agro-ecological production practices.
Change group 3
Reach responsible group 3
Comment