From Degradation to Regeneration: The Power of Soil Management

Written by Brenda Nwaubani

The soil is an integral part of our ecosystem, housing many microorganisms. In the agricultural sector, the soil acts as a bank, providing the essential nutrients and water that sustain plant growth, and ultimately, the food that nourishes us.

Despite these enormous contributions, the soil is often overlooked, poorly managed, and only considered when production levels plummet. Like any living thing, the soil requires care and management to maintain its health and productivity. Healthy soil provides essential nutrients for plants, purifies water, and acts as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigating climate change.

Agricultural practices when not done correctly can contribute to degrading the soil. Some of these practices include:

• Excessive Tillage: Conventional farming often relies heavily on tillage, the process of turning over the soil. While this initially loosens the soil and prepares it for planting, repeated tillage disrupts the soil structure leading to loss of organic matter and erosion
• Monoculture Farming: Planting the same crop annually depletes the soil of specific nutrients leading to nutrient imbalance. Monocultures also create a favorable environment for pests and diseases which increases the use of pesticides and further soil degradation.
• Livestock production when not properly managed can result in overgrazing and soil compaction. The soil is often left bare, becoming susceptible to erosion.
• Excessive Chemical Use: Overreliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides leads to chemical runoff which contaminates water bodies and disrupts the soil microbiome

Fortunately, there are several practices we can adopt to revitalize and protect our soil:

• Embrace Crop Rotation: Rotate different crops throughout the year. This helps balance nutrient depletion, suppress pests and diseases, and improve soil health.
• Mulching: Applying a layer of organic material like leaves or straw around plants helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature
• Reduced Tillage or No-Till Practices: Minimizing soil disturbance promotes better water infiltration, reduces erosion, and encourages healthy soil structure.
• Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops between cash crops helps suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and add organic matter.
• Organic Amendments: Regularly add compost or manure to the soil. These organic amendments provide essential nutrients, improve soil structure, and promote microbial activity.
• Water Management: Implement efficient irrigation practices like drip irrigation to conserve water and prevent waterlogging and salinization.
• Precision Agriculture: Utilizing technologies like soil testing and targeted nutrient application allows for more efficient use of resources and minimizes environmental impact.

Soil management is not just a farming practice, it’s a critical step towards a sustainable future. By prioritizing soil health, we can mitigate climate change, and support biodiversity. With the finite resources available, adopting sustainable soil management practices is a necessity.