Land Degradation and Challenges of Food Security

Abstract

Land degradation has emerged as a serious problem during the last few decades. Soil fertility has declined considerably in many parts of the world due to intensive agriculture, over-grazing, water pollution, increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides, salinization, deforestation and accumulation of non-biodegradable waste. Vast tracts of land are facing desertification. Climate change is further aggravating land degradation, soil erosion and soil fertility. Evidence suggests during the last 6-7 decades over 35 percent of arable land has been degraded due to human induced activities. Soil being the natural medium for plant growth supports all life on earth. Rapidly increasing population, growing food-waste and declining soil fertility are posing serious challenges to humanity for future food security. Therefore, land degradation must come to a halt. Education, changes in agricultural policy and technological innovations are instruments that should be used for restoration of degraded land and stop further land degradation.