More than 90 percent of deforestation in tropical areas is driven by agriculture. Photo: Kate Evans/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Kate Evans/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Land speculation drives deforestation ‘for nothing’ in the tropics

In tropical regions, agriculture causes up to 99 percent of deforestation. But at least one-third of deforested land gives no contribution to food production, researchers have found
Worldwide, soy cultivation promotes the deforestation of 4,800 km2 of land every year. Photo: Hippopx public domain CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)Hippopx public domain CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)

Corporate commitments alone can’t stop soy-led deforestation

In 10 years, the moratorium on Brazilian soy derived from deforested land has saved just 2,300 km2 of forest, an international study says. "Supply chain governance should not be a substitute for state-led forest policies," researchers explain
Due to drought, Iraqi farming communities are experiencing a drop in harvests for the second year in a row. Photo: Ahmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizonAhmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizon

Climate change and drought threaten crops and economy in Iraq

Iraqi farming communities experience a new decline in harvests due to drought, says Norwegian Refugee Council. The worsening climate emergency and water crisis is an economic disaster for the affected regions
The application of agroecology principles in livestock farming may be a turning point for the sustainability of the UK food supply chain. Photo: Peter Standing Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Peter Standing Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Meat can be sustainable thanks to agroecology

According to the Soil Association in Edinburgh, the transition to agroecology in agriculture and livestock paves the way for a lower-impact production system. But extending the practice on a large scale requires a change in diet
Ants play an effective role in counteracting plant pests. Photo: Abdulmominbd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Abdulmominbd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ants better than pesticides in protecting soil health and increasing agricultural yields

According to a research ants provide crucial services for crops such as decreasing pest activity and plant damage while leading to higher yields
High fertilizers prices threaten agricultural productivity in some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Ethiopia, and Central America. Photo: ©2015CIAT/GeorginaSmith Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)©2015CIAT/GeorginaSmith Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Soil mapping means more information and less fertilizers

An FAO project aims to gather information on soil nutrients to optimize the use of fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. An initiative aimed at countering the impact of rising market prices
With soaring fertiliser prices, British agriculture must adopt a new production model focused on protecting soil health. Photo: Walter Baxter / Preston Farm / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Walter Baxter / Preston Farm / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Fertiliser crisis provides a boost to regenerative agriculture

As fertiliser prices soar, British agriculture sector faces new risks as it remains too dependent on imports. More than 60 companies are now calling on the government to implement a transition plan to a new production model
Contaminated land in Verdun, northern France. The effects of soil contamination in World War I battlefields are still clear more than a century later. This a precedent that scares Ukraine and global agriculture. Photo: public domainpublic domain

Ukraine will have to deal with war damages to agriculture for a century (at least)

Ukraine farmland could suffer the same consequences as the soils of northern France, which are still contaminated with the munitions waste from World War I. A severe problem for the global food supply chain
Lack of mechanization remains a widespread problem for Africa. Photo: Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Farmers in Africa bet on tractor sharing

The shortage of farm machinery is a well-known problem for Africa. Founded in Nairobi, Hello Tractor is an app that aims to foster cooperation between farmers and equipment owners
The Government of Wales wants to remunerate operators who provide sustainable agricultural practices. Photo: David Stowell Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)David Stowell Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Trees and soil testing: Wales rewards new sustainable agriculture

The Government of Wales has released further details on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). The mechanism, which remunerates sustainable agriculture and carbon farming initiatives, will come into effect in 2025

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