Deputy minister warns soil erosion poses ‘silent threat’ to food security
The deputy head of planning and economy in the Ministry of Agriculture raised the alarm on Wednesday that the erosion of two billion tons of Iranian soil is regarded as a “silent threat” to the national food security and reducing production costs and increasing productivity are the economic strategies of the ministry for soil conservation.
“Soil; this silent yet vital asset, today more than ever, requires protection, study, and intelligent management. World Soil Day is an opportunity to review the status of this non-renewable resource, which is not only the foundation of food security but also a pillar of sustainable development in the world and in Iran,” Akbar Fathi said.
“In Iran, the soil situation also requires urgent attention and more precise policymaking. Estimates indicate that our country experiences between 1.5 to 2 billion tons of soil erosion annually; a figure that is very high compared to the global average (about five tons per hectare) and in some regions, even 20 to 30 tons per hectare has been reported. This is while the formation of one centimeter of fertile soil takes, on average, more than 700 years.”
Stressing that soil is regarded as the food security of future generations, Fathi said, “Although the challenges are serious, there is also a clear and achievable path. Countries that have implemented long-term soil conservation programs over the past three decades have been able to experience up to a 50% reduction in erosion and a 30% increase in productivity. Iran, with its scientific, academic, and technological capacities, is also capable of managing a significant portion of the current crisis in less than a decade.”
The deputy head of planning and economy in the Ministry of Agriculture said the future of Iran's food security is directly dependent on the decisions that are taken regarding soil.
“Soil protection is not a choice, but a strategic necessity for the country's economic, environmental, and social survival,” Fathi added.