is moderately to highlydegraded through

of global soil

erosion, salinization,compaction, acidification

chemical pollution & nutrient depletion

fao.org/soils-2015

©FAO - February 2015

global population

will exceed 9 billion

increased demand for healthier and nutritious food

will only be met if

Soils are under pressureof intensificationand competing uses offorestry, cropping,pasture & urbanization

in most countriesthere is

little opportunityfor expansion of

arable land

depend on their landfor livelihood

of rural people inSub-Saharan Africa

of Africa’s soils arecurrently degraded

83%

40%

inclusive policies andgovernance

investment insustainable soilmanagement

e�ective education &extensionprogrammes

soilinformationsystems

sustainable soil management

SAVING OUR SOILS

feed medicines fuelfood

It is the basis for

RESOURCERESOURCEIS A NON-RENEWABLESOILSOIL

increasing soil organic matter content

using nutrientswisely

keeping soil surfacevegetated

promotingcrop rotations

reducingerosion

agriculturalproductionincreases

globally60%

developingcountries

100%˜

#IYS2015

ecosystemservices

can lead to an averagecrop yield increase of

58%

THE CHALLENGE

OUR SOILS TODAY

stopping soildegradation& restoringdegraded soils

hampering soils functions

and a�ecting food production

targeted soilresearch

33%