Soil Degradation Continues: Only 60 Years of Farming Left

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to generate soil? Generating only three centimeters of top soil can take over 1,000 years! According to the United Nations, if current rates of soil degradation continue, the world’s top soil could be gone within 60 years. Today we are losing an impressive amount of 30 soccer fields of soil every minute.

What are the causes and consequences of soil degradation?

Soil degradation can be caused by chemical-heavy farming techniques, deforestation and the resulting erosion and, of course, global warming. Soils play a key role in absorbing carbon and filtering water, and their destruction is creating a vicious cycle: less carbon is stored, resulting in global temperature rises and further land degradation. 95% of the food we eat comes from the soil, making it the basis of human life. In order to ensure food security for a growing population, it is therefore necessary to adopt new farming methods that avoid the loss of arable and productive land. Unless we change the way we produce crops, researchers estimate that the amount of arable and productive land per person in 2050 will be merely a quarter of the level in 1960.

While scientists are yet to find a definite solution to this global threat, it has been confirmed that organic farming is humanity’s single best option humans to preserve the soils.

Could neem be the solution?

As a completely natural pesticide and fertilizer, neem is an ideal tool in organic farming. It does not pollute soils or the air and is a completely environmentally friendly alternative to efficiently replace commonly used synthetics. It strengthens plant roots and promotes foliage growth by increasing nutrients in the soil. Neem also offers numerous benefits for the human health, and is harmless when ingested – unlike synthetic pesticides which have been linked to numerous serious illnesses. If you have your own garden, try to grow foods organically! If not, remember that buying organic foods not only offers improves your health and nutrition, but also makes you help preserve the earth’s soils. Protect yourself and Planet Earth by using and supporting neem as a natural pesticide!