Brussels, Belgium
22 May 2013
Within our soil exists a vast and diverse ecosystem which provides the foundation for the hundreds of crops that feed, clothe and fuel our world. On the International Day for Biodiversity, CropLife International calls on farmers, agricultural researchers and policymakers around the world to renew their dedication to the support and advancement of research and education into sustainable agricultural practices that preserve soil; one of our world's most valuable resources.
"With more than 30 percent of the world's land mass devoted to farming, agriculture has a tremendous role to play in protecting and preserving our natural resources and biodiversity," notes Howard Minigh, President and CEO of CropLife International. "We know that soil - and the organisms that reside within it - is a precious and vital ingredient of sustainable agriculture. As global leaders in the agricultural community, CropLife International and our members are dedicated to the research and development of technologies which enable sustainable farming practices, enhance farm productivity and support healthy soils and natural habitats."
As caretakers of the land and environment, farmers know that rich, healthy soil delivers life-sustaining benefits to the crops and livestock they raise. However, traditional intensive cultivation and land management practices can be hard on soil, reducing its quantity, quality and capacity to sustain life. With this in mind, the plant science industry has developed technologies and solutions - from novel crop protection products to seeds enhanced through biotechnology - that enable farmers to incorporate soil-friendly, sustainable practices such as conservation tillage.
Conservation tillage occurs when farmers forego traditional plowing and instead strive for minimal disruption of the soil by planting seeds directly into the undisturbed land. This practice, enabled by herbicides and herbicide-tolerant biotech seed varieties, protects soil from erosion, evaporation of water, and structural breakdown.
Conservation tillage protects and improves soil biodiversity by retaining enriching crop residues and organic matter from the previous planting. Over time, this can have a significant impact on the quantity and quality of topsoil. In one study on the effects of long-term no-till cropping in the United States, researchers found that organic matter increased by as much as 1,800 pounds per acre per year. With an estimated 100 million hectares farmed using conservation tillage every year, the potential increase in organic material could tally as much as 445 billion pounds; enough to blanket over 670,000 hectares with an inch of extra topsoil every year. That is an area larger than London, Paris and Moscow combined.
"Healthy soil is fundamental to the success and sustainability of agriculture, and for that reason, the conservation and protection of soil biodiversity is of major importance for the plant science industry," says Minigh. "Agriculture must find a way to meet the demands of a rising world population but do so in a way that protects and conserves natural resources such as soil. With continued investment in new solutions to bolster farm productivity and sustainability, we can help protect and improve today's soils for today's farmers and future generations."
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