In Central Asia, agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to GDP. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Central Asia will keep on suffering from agricultural drought for a long time

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Chinese researchers believe that soil drought linked to climate change can no longer be offset by weather cycles. A challenge for the region's crops and economy
At current rates of extraction, phosphorus production is expected to reach its peak around 2050. Photo: Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Global agriculture must reduce its dependence on phosphorus

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Half of the available phosphorus in the soil comes from mineral fertilizers. Europe, Asia and North America show the highest concentrations. French researchers, "We need to accelerate the agroecological transition in rich countries by allocating the remaining resources to the global South"
Fertilizers produced by processing human manure would be a viable and safe resource for crops, according to German research. Photo: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to usePhoto: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to use

Toilets may provide an alternative to chemical fertilizers

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By recycling human manure it is possible to produce natural fertilizers that provide identical yields as chemical equivalents, a German research has found. No risk of drug contamination, the authors explain. But further studies are needed
Tra le forme di agricoltura mista, l’agropastorizia combina le coltivazioni e l’allevamento del bestiame. Foto: Michael Trolove Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

EU agriculture mixes strategies against climate and geopolitical shocks

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Combining different crops and mixing agriculture with livestock and forest management makes it possible to better respond to climate challenges and current crises. From Horizon magazine, a review of two European projects
In Bangladesh, most soils contain less than 1.5 percent organic matter. This is below the minimum required threshold of 2.5 percent. Photo: CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh, 2006 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh, 2006 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Land degradation and food crisis hit Bangladesh

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Poor farming practices and dependence on fertilizer have damaged soils in Bangladesh. Nutrient deficiency remains a problem. Use of organic alternatives for soil grows
Antibiotic use on livestock farms is a source of contamination and soil hazard. Photo: U.S Department of Agriculture Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) U.S Department of Agriculture Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Chinese scientists provide first global map of antibiotic resistance in soil

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Researchers from Shanghai University described the global distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes in the soil. The phenomenon is especially evident in Europe, America and Asia. And is a threat to animal and human health
In Ukraine the agricultural sector is an important source of livelihood for about 13 million people. Photo: Ilya Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)photo: Ilya Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

War affects one in four farmers in Ukraine, says FAO

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced 25 percent of the country's rural households to reduce or stop production. War damage to the sector already exceeds $2 billion, says FAO
Grazing may have negative effects in warmer arid areas with highly seasonal rainfall and lower biodiversity Photo: John Coppi, CSIRO Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)John Coppi, CSIRO Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Climate and biodiversity impact the effect of grazing on soil

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Positive impacts of grazing on soil become negative as temperatures rise, an international research says. A more diversified vegetation presence helps offset the issue
Sustainable agriculture made a crucial contribution to the development of the Maya society. Photo: Diego Delso Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Diego Delso Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sustainable agriculture was crucial for ancient Maya’s society

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Proper soil and agricultural management enabled the growth of settlements originating in southern Mexico in ancient times, environmental DNA study by U.S. researchers has found
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

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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

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