India has witnessed an increasing trend of plastic use in agriculture, although the phenomenon is relatively recent. Photo: P. Casier (CGIAR) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) P. Casier (CGIAR) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Mulch films under fire in India as microplastics pollution gets worrysome

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A study finds the high presence of microplastics in fields where films are used most. The disposal problem in the Asian country remains significant. Concerns over heavy metal contamination
Microbes play a key role in providing soil fertility. Photo: JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0

Microbes provide a solution as fertilizers get too expensive

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War in Ukraine and commodity boom pushes fertilizer prices to record highs: profiting from microbes' properties is a cost-effective solution as investors jump in, writes the Wall Street Journal.
In Iowa, Midwestern U.S., erosion is generating a decline in agricultural production. Photo: Phil Roeder Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Phil Roeder Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Erosion in U.S. worse-than-expected, new study says

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Midwest fields have lost nearly 58 billion tons of soil in a150 years, University of Massachusetts survey says. Tillage effect, still ignored in government estimates, is crucial. Food production at risk
FAO's Global Symposium on Soils for Nutrition will be held in virtual format between 26 and 29 July 2022.©FAO/Matteo Sala

At the end of July, a global meeting on the link between healthy soil and nutrition

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From 26 to 29 July, hundreds of representatives from the political, agricultural, environmental, scientific and industrial world will participate in the Global Symposium on Soil for nutrition. Until the end of May, a call of abstracts to propose reports to be presented during the days of the event. Here the main themes
Traditional dance at the Navajo community in New Mexico, USA. Photo: Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Traditional agriculture is good for soil and human health. A lesson from Navajo community

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Traditional knowledge and modern science: how the Navajo community develops regenerative agriculture while promoting health and food security. A tale by the New Humanitarian
Ukraine is home to a quarter of the global černozëm, a hyper fertile soil that guarantees high yields. Photo: Jackie Riceman Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Jackie Riceman Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

War and climate change threaten Ukraine’s ‘magic’ soil

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Standing behind Ukraine's legendary agricultural wealth is the černozëm, an exceptionally fertile soil covering two-thirds of the country's arable land. But war and climate change are undermining the crops
La sede del Consiglio dell'Unione Europea. L'organo con sede a Bruxelles ha approvato le conclusioni della Commissione UE sul carbon farming. Foto: Tauno Tõhk EU2017EE Estonian Presidency Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Carbon farming regulation getting closer in EU as Council adopts conclusions

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The Council of the EU Ministers has approved the Commission's conclusions on soil carbon sequestration. The implementation of these practices in agriculture is expected to save 42 million tons of CO2 in the European Union by 2030
The solution to the climate emergency lies in sustainable soil management. Photo: Pixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not requiredPixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not required

World Economic Forum sets out three soil strategies

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We must treat soil as an asset class to mitigate climate change, says the Swiss organization. In addition, we need fair remuneration for farmers and transparency on the impact of products to encourage consumer choice.
In EU, annual per capita expenditure on organic products has reached 102 euros. Photo: Myfruit.it Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Myfruit.it Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

European organic farming keeps growing as market sets record high

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Organic land in Europe covers more than 17 million hectares, with a 5.3% increase year on year. But the biggest surge comes from consumers: in the midst of the pandemic, sales mark the highest growth of the decade.
Antibiotics used for livestock promote climate change as they impact on soil microbes. Photo: Alan Levine Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Alan Levine Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

How livestock antibiotics affect microbes and promote climate change

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Antibiotics and heat impact on microbes, accelerating their respiration andbCO2 emissions. Monensin, a widespread product used in animal breeding, is under fire.

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