Soil health, which is the foundation of 95% of global food supply, is a vital cornerstone for the world economy and social stability. However, this essential resource is degrading at an unprecedented rate due to intensive agricultural practices and the devastating effects of climate change. In the face of a growing world population, this decline in soil quality has become not just an environmental issue but a global security crisis. This situation is pushing our food systems to an unsustainable limit. Soil health is the most critical step to be taken to resolve this crisis.

Worrying Increases in Food Insecurity

The deterioration of soil health has led to a troubling regression in global hunger statistics and has exposed the structural vulnerability of millions.

• According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021 report, it was reported that between 720 and 811 million people faced hunger worldwide in 2020, representing an increase of up to 161 million compared to 2019.

• According to FAO data, the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) rose from 8.4% in 2019 to approximately 9.9% in 2020. This increase significantly complicates efforts to achieve the 2030 "Zero Hunger" goal.

• Globally, due to the cost of healthy diets, an estimated 3 billion people cannot afford these diets.

These data highlight the fragility in food systems and the necessity for increased international efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2.

Soil Carbon: A Key Solution in the Climate Fight

The relationship between soil health and climate stability offers one of the most effective natural solutions for climate mitigation. Soil is the second-largest carbon sink on our planet, after oceans. This storage capacity primarily stems from its organic matter content, known as soil carbon.

• By enhancing carbon sequestration through increased soil carbon, we support the targets of the Paris Agreement. As highlighted by Anadolu Agency (AA), improving soil health is the primary method to accelerate the achievement of climate targets.

• 70% of countries do not consider soil as a tool for climate change mitigation in their national climate plans (NDCs). In this context, soil health is a fundamental climate solution that should not be neglected.

Strategic Steps for Transitioning to Climate-Friendly Agriculture

To ensure long-term sustainability, it is imperative to rapidly move away from traditional agricultural models that are highly dependent on inputs.

Enhancing Soil Carbon with Regenerative Practices

Regenerative agricultural practices that focus on increasing soil carbon content and organic matter are critically important. As noted in the Soil Atlas 2024 report, these practices not only increase soil productivity but also enhance biodiversity and water retention capacity.

Core regenerative strategies include:

• The use of cover crops and crop rotation with legumes.

• Active implementation of agricultural diversification and composting techniques.

• Preference for organic fertilizers.

Furthermore, the primary strategy for reducing agricultural emissions and preserving carbon sinks is to prevent the conversion of existing agricultural land to non-agricultural uses.

Global Cooperation and Commitments 

The COP30 conference, which brings together integrated policies to transform food systems, has become an important global platform where efforts in this area are focused. Conference summaries emphasize that soil health and sustainable agricultural practices are integral to the international agenda. 

Among the highlighted significant commitments aimed at transforming food systems:

• RAIZ Accelerator: Aims to mobilize private capital for the large-scale restoration of degraded agricultural lands to achieve “Net Zero Land Degradation”.

• TERRA Initiative: Aims to empower family farmers and Indigenous Peoples by centering their role in transformation through agroecology.

• Fertilizer Decarbonization Commitment: A joint declaration aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from nitrogen chemical fertilizer use by countries by 2035, represents a concrete step in this area.

• S2C2 (South-South Collective for Climate): Established to fund and support over 5,000 climate technology startups in developing and emerging economies by 2030.

These initiatives demonstrate that the issue of soil health has secured a permanent place on the international policy agenda, in conjunction with climate action and food security goals.

Soil Health for Food Security and Economic Growth

The issue of food insecurity deepens due to underlying structural problems such as persistent poverty and high levels of inequality. Transforming food systems requires collaborative investments that integrate climate action, biodiversity conservation, and food security.

These practices not only ensure environmental sustainability but also offer countries the opportunity for lower-carbon economic growth. Every government, company, and investor needs to prioritize soil health not just as an environmental target but as a critical pathway for global stability and sustainable economic growth.

For more information about carbon farming and soil carbon for sustainable agriculture, please check our related blog post.