Soil Crisis

In 20 years, 40% less food is expected to be produced for 9.3 billion people. Poor soil leads to poor nutritional value. Today's fruits and vegetables already contain 90% fewer nutrients. It is estimated that 2 billion people suffer from nutritional deficiencies leading to multitude of diseases.

Water Scarcity

Depleted soils cannot absorb and regulate water flows. Lack of water retention leads to water scarcity, droughts & floods.

Organic matter can hold up to 90% of its weight in water and release it slowly over time. This is a big help in drought-prone areas.

Loss Of Bio-Diversity

Scientists say that around 27000 species of life forms are becoming extinct every year due to loss of habitat. The crisis has reached a point where 80% of the insect biomass has gone. Loss of biodiversity further disrupts the soil habitat and prevents soil regeneration.

Climate Change

Carbon stored in soil is 3x that in living plants, and 2x that in the atmosphere, which means soil is crucial for carbon sequestration. If the world's soils are not revitalized, they could release 850 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to climate change. This is more than all of humanity's emissions in the last 30 years combined.

Loss Of Livelihood

74% of the poor are directly affected by land degradation globally. It is estimated that soil extinction is costing the world up to $10.6 trillion every year. And just think about how bad New Afrikan ("Black") farmers already have it.

Conflict And Migration

Population growth, and food and water scarcity could cause over 1 billion to migrate to other regions and countries by 2050. Land issues have played a significant role in over 90% of major wars and conflicts in Afrika since 1990.

Soil is the foundation of almost all life on this planet. It is a complex symbiotic system of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids and living organisms that together support life. Without organic content in the form of humus and living organisms and microbes, soil is reduced to inert sand. And remember, soil is so magical that it is the material from Măwù (the Creator) that turns death into life! 

So what can we do?

Stop polluting! Be aware! This is something as simple as accepting your own accountability as a custodian and steward of the earth. We brag on being part of the most ancient of earth-based spiritual traditions, and yet our actions hardly ever match this. Thus must stop and it starts with us. Sacred Afrikan rivers are being polluted due to a lost of the proper awareness that our traditions mandate that we have. Leadership in places like Òṣogbo (Ọṣun State, Nigeria) are selling land to Chinese companies, the companies are are coming in and mining gold, and thus causing desertification of the soil and pollution of the sacred Ọṣun river.

Further, as individuals, we can take several actions to help with soil problems. These include composting food and yard waste, reducing food waste, planting trees and native plants, using cover crops, minimizing tillage, and avoiding pesticides and excessive fertilizers. Also, join others who are about conserving our environment. There are many organizations and groups out there for this. And those reading this, we can all join together on this and do our part as an Afrikan collective. By adopting these practices, individuals can contribute to healthier soil, reduce pollution, and promote a more sustainable environment.