Discover the Essential Link between the Earth and Les Seviques during World Soil Day!
Today, at Les Seviques, we join the celebration of World Soil Day, recognizing the vital importance of this resource for life on our planet. Beyond being the foundation that supports our olive trees, soil and water are fundamental sources of life and nutrition, making up more than 95% of our food.
The symbiotic relationship between water and soil is essential for the absorption of nutrients by plants, and at Les Seviques, we deeply understand this balance. However, climate change and human activity are degrading our soils, putting pressure on our resources. Human beings tend to think that both water and land are finite and therefore to overexploit them. This action has serious consequences not only in the short term, but also puts the sustainability of future generations at risk. According to the FAO, more than 33% of Earth's soils are degraded and the percentage could increase to 90% by 2030.
Facts and curiosities:
Irrigated agricultural systems, which extract 70% of the world's freshwater and account for 20% of cropland, further emphasizing the connection between soil health and water quality and availability.
Soil health and its interaction with water are crucial. Soils enriched with organic matter play a fundamental role in regulating water retention and availability.
Better soil and water management improves the earth's ability to withstand extreme climate events such as droughts, floods and sand and dust storms.
Healthy soils act as carbon sinks, taking carbon from the atmosphere, soil holds three times more carbon than the atmosphere and can be a valuable tool in the fight against climate change.
Soil erosion can reduce crop yields by up to 50%. If this trend continues, a 10% decrease in total annual production potential is projected by 2050.
Currently, some 815 million people are food insecure and approximately 2 billion do not have access to sufficiently nutritious food. Appropriate soil management could mitigate this situation.
The FAO warns that soil erosion affects its health and productivity, reducing the quantity and quality of food. Soils play a crucial role in providing clean water, resisting floods and droughts, and filtering and attenuating pollutants.
Committed to sustainability, Les Seviques implements regenerative agricultural practices in our fields, as well as the addition of organic matter, to preserve soil health and contribute to the fight against climate change. These practices not only improve soil quality and reduce erosion, but also promote biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
This World Soil Day, we call for awareness of the importance of these resources and pledge to continue moving towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Join us in this day of reflection and action to preserve the health of our soils and ensure a greener and more prosperous future.