Soil Degradation in Soil Degradation in the Developing Worldthe Developing World

Kathleen CueKathleen Cue

AGRON 342AGRON 342

November 7, 2008November 7, 2008

““Degraded soil means less Degraded soil means less food. As a result of soil food. As a result of soil degradation, it is estimated degradation, it is estimated that about 11.9—13.4% of that about 11.9—13.4% of the global agricultural the global agricultural supply has been lost in the supply has been lost in the past five years.”past five years.”

Chen, et al, Chen, et al, 20022002

Soil degradation is Soil degradation is attributed to:attributed to: Absence of legume-based rotationAbsence of legume-based rotation Excessive IrrigationExcessive Irrigation Crop residue removal for Crop residue removal for

fodder/biofuelsfodder/biofuels Excessive grazingExcessive grazing Manure used for household fuelManure used for household fuel Excessive use of plow-based tillageExcessive use of plow-based tillage

The Nature and Properties of Soils, 13The Nature and Properties of Soils, 13thth EditionEdition

Further, soil loss is Further, soil loss is occurring due to erosion occurring due to erosion and brick making.and brick making.

picasaweb.google.compicasaweb.google.com

What are ways to restore What are ways to restore productivity to degraded productivity to degraded soils?soils? Cover Cropping/Crop RotationCover Cropping/Crop Rotation AgroforestryAgroforestry Reduced till/no tillReduced till/no till Fertilization, both organic and Fertilization, both organic and

inorganic sourcesinorganic sourcesRoose, Roose,

Barthes (2000)Barthes (2000)

Benefits of adopting soil Benefits of adopting soil Best Management Best Management Practices (BMP):Practices (BMP): Economic—increased yields, less Economic—increased yields, less

povertypoverty Ethical—reduced hunger, right to Ethical—reduced hunger, right to

eateat Social—justice, less unrest, local Social—justice, less unrest, local

educationeducation Agriculture—sustainable farming Agriculture—sustainable farming Environmental—less erosion, less Environmental—less erosion, less

release of greenhouse gasesrelease of greenhouse gases

The EndThe End

SourcesSources– Brady, N.C. and Well, R.R., Brady, N.C. and Well, R.R., The Nature and The Nature and

Properties of Soils, 13Properties of Soils, 13thth Edition Edition, 2002., 2002.– Chen, J., Chen J.Z., Tan M.Z., Gong Z., “Soil Chen, J., Chen J.Z., Tan M.Z., Gong Z., “Soil

Degradation: A Global Problem Endangering Degradation: A Global Problem Endangering Sustainable Development”, Volume 12, Num. 2/April Sustainable Development”, Volume 12, Num. 2/April 2002, http://www.sprinkgerlink.com/2002, http://www.sprinkgerlink.com/

– picasaweb.google.compicasaweb.google.com– Roose, E. and Barthes, B., “Organic Matter Roose, E. and Barthes, B., “Organic Matter

Management for Soil Conservation and Productivity Management for Soil Conservation and Productivity Restoration in Africa: A Contribution from Restoration in Africa: A Contribution from Francophone Research”, http://www.springerlink.comFrancophone Research”, http://www.springerlink.com

– Scherr, S., “Soil Degradation: A Threat to Developing Scherr, S., “Soil Degradation: A Threat to Developing Country Food Security in 2020?” IFPRI, 1999.Country Food Security in 2020?” IFPRI, 1999.