This is an attempt to bring forward a discussion focusing on healthy soil healthy food initiatives supported by AFSA and implemented by RURAL COMMUNITY IN DEVELOPMENT (RUCID) in Mityana.
The usable land does not expand, while the world human population is increasing at a fast rate. Arable land and the related land space for infrastructure which complement the well-being of human is declining. The question is, shall we have arable land remaining for production of health food by the coming century?
The health of the soil is being affected due to the overuse during the production of food for the growing population, but at the same time health of the soil is being affected by unfavorable agricultural practices.
it’s high time the concerned players to innovate regenerative practices and methods which are to repair and sustain the health of the soil to produce health food.
Healthy soil is characterized by numerous factors including but not limited to presence of micro and macro biology (biotic) of the soil; within this microbiology, man perceives them as beneficial and harmful, however the beneficial and harmful can symbiotically live together in nature, each of the two performing their roles. healthy soil is comprised of abiotic composition which also can be perceived as macro, micro and trace elements, each performing the vital roles and functions in the soil to render it a status of healthy soil.
to achieve soil health, the primary task is to ensure:
- modification of the soil texture from clay soils or sandy soils to crumbly soils
- ensure plenty of organic matter which is transformed into humus. humus helps modify texture, improves on drainage, improves aeration and modifies the soil temperature. humus serves as the custodian of nutrients for the plants.