Future Agriculture Demand
We are already more than 7 billion on earth, exerting pressure on limited resources of it. In the coming 3 and half decade, careful estimations show that we will add another 2 billion people. 2 billion! Yes, that is equal to adding another full India and half China on earth. To cater food demand of 9 billion, agriculture sector will get more pressure. It will have to produce more food, at least 40 percent more to reach breakeven point.
In addition to that, this additional food will have to be grown by agriculture sector on the fertile soils available that are just covering 11 percent of the global land surface. There is very little new and additional land that can be brought under production while existing land is being lost and degraded.
Solution to Cater Soil Pollution
Reduce Waste
This is in our hands. We humans are the largest producers of waste. And additionally we are criminally involved in not taking necessary steps to decompose this waste, instead we throw it openly. Most of the waste is generated in holiday season globally. It’s our responsibility to take necessary steps in removing waste and decomposing it in proper manner. Similarly, chemicals in paper manufacturing are ended up in soil, damaging its texture and structure. Try to avoid printing as possible and use modern ways of communication. Lastly, select astutely when shopping and evade buying products with unnecessary packaging.
Agriculture Best Practices
Agriculture runoff from the farm fields is one of the chief and primary sources of water pollution that results in polluting the soil. The runoff is rich in fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and agricultural wastes that affect soil harmfully. Excessive quantities of phosphorous, phosphates nitrogen and other chemicals present in fertilizers result in plant and fish kill, ultimately contaminating soils. It is recommended to use organic fertilizers and herbicides in farming and gardening. Composting is the best solution on small scale farming to avoid any agricultural runoff damage to soil.
Wetland Restoration
Restoration of polluted wetlands is the dire need of current scenario. A single acre of wetlands has the capacity to hold one and a half million gallons of water, which runoff can taint, ultimately causing soil pollution. Community level approach is needed to tackle this issue instead of seeking aid and grant from government. It’s our land, and it’s our responsibility to take care of it. Healthy soil results in healthy agriculture activities to produce healthy food.
Cite this Article in APA Style as:
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Rahman, M. A. (2017, September 25). Soil Pollution and Future Demands from Agriculture [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://aridagriculture.com/2017/09/25/soil-pollution-future-demands-agriculture[/box]