The Stars in Our Soil: Gifts to Soil Health

Soil health is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, and its impact extends far beyond the confines of the farm. As we enter the festive season, it's a fitting time to reflect on the invaluable gifts of soil health. These include policies, advocates, media influence, scientific expertise, and farmer dedication—all crucial in driving progress toward a healthier, more resilient agricultural ecosystem. Let’s celebrate these contributions and recognize their role in safeguarding our future.

The Gift of Soil Health Policies

While many countries are yet to pass laws specific to soil health, the push towards this cause has escalated in the recent past. One of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit 2024 outputs is improved policy environments: Providing guidelines for the formulation and implementation of relevant national policies and harmonizing regulatory frameworks for efficiency, cross-sectoral coherence, and promoting regional and continental trade. With soil health policies taking effect, we are poised to see significant improvements in soil management practices globally.

The Gift of Soil Health Advocates

There are individuals and organizations that contribute significantly to raising awareness about soil health, promoting sustainable practices, and advocating for policy changes. From individuals like Gabe Brown and scientists such as Dr. Leigh Winowiecki to organizations like CA4SH and educators such as Eliseus Bamporineza, author of the children’s booklet titled My Family Cares for Soil, as well as policymakers involved in the European Commission’s Soil Health Strategy, their efforts are instrumental in driving the soil health agenda forward. Find out more about the work of different advocates in this Youth4Soil Brief.

The Gift of Media Influence

Media serves not only as a communication tool but also as a powerful driver for education. The use of media in promoting soil health has surged due to its capacity to overcome physical barriers and reach a broad audience. Media experts are crucial in shaping public opinion on soil health issues, ensuring these vital topics receive the attention they deserve. The advent of social media has further simplified mass engagement, yet the influence of expert media and carefully crafted communication deliverables remains indispensable. Media personnel and outlets promoting soil health are invaluable, shaping public opinion and driving education. Their contributions are truly a gift to soil health.

The Gift of Soil Scientists and Researchers

Society has systems for identifying and distributing expert knowledge, including proving some viewpoints as true and others as not. This, however, cannot be achieved without the indelible gift of soil scientists and researchers. Globally, scientists such as Vasily V. Dokuchaev, known as the Father of modern soil science, and Justus von Liebig, who revolutionized agricultural chemistry, have risen to the occasion of soil health, consistently updating the world with expert knowledge on soil health needs. Their contributions and those of many scientists who came after them continue to lay a foundation for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.

The Gift of Farmers

Farmers are essential in promoting soil health and productivity through sustainable agricultural practices. Their hands-on experience and deep knowledge of the land enable them to implement and refine soil health interventions, such as crop rotation, reduced tillage and organic amendments. These practices boost crop yields and enhance long-term soil fertility and ecosystem resilience. Farmers play a crucial role in community education, mentoring other farmers on best practices and driving widespread adoption of sustainable techniques. They also collaborate with researchers and policymakers, providing valuable insights that shape effective soil health policies and participate in pilot projects to validate new approaches. Additionally, many farmers engage in cooperative efforts and community initiatives for larger-scale conservation and land stewardship. This collective action amplifies their individual efforts, contributing significantly to regional and national sustainability goals. Farmers are not just practitioners; they are innovators, educators, and advocates crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Their practical expertise, coupled with their deep connection to the land, makes them indispensable in the quest for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Farmers’ ongoing efforts and collaboration with other stakeholders are key to ensuring the vitality and productivity of our soils for generations to come, making them a precious gift to soil health.

The Gift of Partnerships and Community

Soil connects us all, both to each other and to nature. By working together, we can transform the narrative of soil from a resource to be exploited to one that must be preserved and nurtured for future generations. In the face of climate change, it is crucial that we unite the diverse gifts of soil health policies, advocates, media, scientists, farmers, and partnerships to implement urgent and effective soil health interventions. Joining the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health allows you to be part of a community dedicated to championing soil health and fostering collective progress. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and resilient future for our soils and our planet.

These gifts to soil health are not just theoretical concepts; they are practical, actionable elements that can transform our world. By embracing soil health policies, supporting advocates, leveraging media, relying on scientific expertise, empowering farmers, and fostering partnerships, we are taking significant steps towards a sustainable future. This festive season, let’s cherish these gifts and commit to working together to enhance and protect soil health for generations to come.

What will your gift to soil health be this season and beyond? Share your journey with us.

Compliments of the season!

About the Author

Sussana Phiri is an alumnus of the Global Change Makers School, where she pursued Project Management for Change Makers (2020). She is also an alumnus of the Global Leadership Fellows Programme (GLFP ‘19), which focuses on imparting Strategic Management and Science Communication skills. Her most recent achievement is becoming the Young Professionals in Agriculture Development (YPARD) Zambia country representative.

Sussana carries a wealth of experience in fostering meaningful youth engagements in youth-led projects and women-focused interventions as a developer and project lead of the Future Fields and Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Projects respectively. She is a certified aquaculture and fish farming professional and holds a certificate in agriculture mechanics and machinery. She possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is currently studying for a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from the University of Zambia. Most recently, she acquired a Diploma in Agroecology from the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre.

Sussana has developed and implemented assignments with partners such as the Zambia Youth Environmental Network, Women Who Farm Africa, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Access Agriculture, CAADP Youth Network, Grand Challenges Canada, Chedic Associates, Ministry of Health- Mother and Child Health Department and the Chilanga District Agriculture Department.

Sussana is currently working with CA4SH as a Communications and Coordination intern through CIFOR-ICRAF, and is a member of the #Youth4Soil Initiative. The Stars in Our Soil is a 6-part series highlighting the scientific and social elements of the soil that are synonymous with the stars; each of them unique but when they are together, they light up the universe.