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Soils, where food begins: how can soils continue to sustain the growing need for food production in the current fertilizer crisis?

ITPS Soil Letters #6

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 7

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Journal, magazine, bulletin

Series title ITPS Soil Letters

Series number 6

Synopsis (short abstract) Soils are directly and indirectly involved in the provision of most ecosystem services vital for humans, including food production, which is fundamental for food security and sovereignty. Soils are the basis for producing more than 95 percent of our food. However, one-third of the world’s soils are degraded to some extent due to erosion, loss of organic carbon and biodiversity, salinization, acidification, compaction, and nutrient imbalance, among other causes. This ITPS Soil Letters reflects on the close link between soil degrading processes and fertility loss and proposes a portfolio of solutions focused on soil health with the ultimate goal of achieving food security.

Full ITPS soil letters series

Last updated 14/02/2023

Language English

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