A new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization has revealed that approximately 1.4 billion hectares of global land, totaling 10% of the Earth’s surface, is affected by salinity, with an additional 1 billion hectares at risk. This issue is already having a significant impact on agricultural land, with up to 70% of crop yields potentially being lost in some cases.
The report identifies key countries, including China, the US, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Sudan, as particularly affected by excess salt in their soils. Climate change and poor agricultural practices are driving the increase in soil salinity, with the FAO warning that up to a third of all land may be affected by the end of the century if current trends continue.
Experts have highlighted the importance of addressing the issue of soil salinity through a combination of traditional and innovative techniques, such as developing salt-resistant crops and utilizing bacteria, fungi, and plants that can remove or sequester salts. Regenerative farming practices that focus on restoring soil fertility naturally have also been recommended.
The report was presented at the International Soil and Water Forum in Bangkok, where experts emphasized the urgent need for action to avoid a global food crisis. The ongoing UN convention to combat desertification in Saudi Arabia has also highlighted the increasing threats to food production due to rising global temperatures and declining soil quality.
Praveena Sridhar, chief technical officer at the Save Soil movement, warned that global famine is no longer a distant threat and called on policymakers to take immediate action to address the growing soil crisis before it impacts food security worldwide.
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