• Minimizing soil disturbance helps protect organic matter, and by reducing tillage and the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers can foster a healthier soil ecosystem. 

Soils are vital carbon sinks, playing a crucial role in environmental conservation. To nurture plants effectively, it is essential to adopt practices that maintain soil health. Among the ways to do this is by transitioning to agroecological and regenerative farming approaches, which is dependent on the adoption of these seven ways:

1. Monitor soil health on farms

One of the fundamental steps is to regularly monitor soil health, allowing farmers to understand their soil's state and compare it to similar farms. According to Infonet Biovision, this can be achieved through soil testing and field observations. Regular monitoring enables farmers to track changes over time, identify necessary improvements, and enhance soil productivity.

2. Increase the amount of plant and animal matter that goes back into the fields

Increasing organic matter inputs is another key strategy. Maintaining high levels of soil organic matter relative to soil type is essential, and farmers can enhance soil fertility and structure by implementing practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, crop rotation with legumes, leaving crop residues on the field, using animal manure as fertilizer, and integrating agroforestry systems. These methods enrich the soil with organic matter over time.

Read More

  1. Celebrating International Zebra Day: The Striped Beauties of the Wild
  2. Earth Coolant: What Glaciers Destruction Means
  3. Isiolo Wildfires Harm The Environment, Livelihoods

3. Improve soil life by reducing tillage and chemicals

Enhancing soil life by reducing tillage and chemicals is also crucial. Minimizing soil disturbance helps protect organic matter, and by reducing tillage and the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers can foster a healthier soil ecosystem.

Practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, organic fertilizers, and compost application contribute to lower soil erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution.

4. Cover up bare soil with continuous plant cover

Maintaining continuous plant cover is vital, as healthy soils are typically covered by plants, which prevent erosion and support biodiversity. Minimizing bare soil exposure ensures that soils remain covered, maintaining quality and ecological balance.

5. Bring more trees onto farmlands

Incorporating trees into farmland serves multiple purposes. Trees act as windbreaks, shielding crops from strong winds, and help prevent soil erosion. Their canopies can also lower soil temperatures, creating a more favorable environment for plant growth.

6. Reduce soil compaction from machinery and livestock

Mitigating soil compaction is another important consideration. Soil compaction occurs when particles are pressed together, reducing pore space and hindering water and air absorption.

Factors contributing to compaction include machinery traffic, livestock, rainfall, tilling, and lack of plant growth. By implementing controlled traffic farming and reducing heavy machinery usage, farmers can alleviate this issue.

7. Design crop rotations to improve soil health

Designing thoughtful crop rotations can significantly improve soil health. Crop rotation involves alternating different crops on the same land over time. Farmers should consider alternating crops with varying nutrient needs, rotating deep-rooted crops to access nutrients and water, using cover crops to enhance soil structure, and alternating weed-suppressing and non-suppressing crops.

By integrating these practices, farmers can restore and maintain soil health, contributing to sustainable agriculture and a healthier planet.