Is Healthy soil the backbone of Food Safety?

In September 2021, the first-ever UN Food Systems Summit gathered individuals and organizations from across the globe, rallying them to accelerate action and revolutionize food systems. Understanding the complex nature of food systems, which encompass everything from production to waste management, is crucial. Various sub-systems, such as farming, waste management, and input supply, intersect with other vital sectors like energy, trade, and health. Examining these intricate connections is key to shaping a resilient and sustainable food future.

Scientists worldwide celebrate World Soils on 5 December each year, underscoring its critical importance. Last year’s theme for the day was “Soils, where food begins." This recognition indeed served as a timely reminder of the pivotal role that soil plays in agricultural endeavours.

The Organic Farming and Regenerative Agriculture

While many farmers claim to grow their produce organically, a pressing question arises: Does organic farming automatically guarantee healthy soil? Food safety undoubtedly originates from the soil, surpassing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. To truly address this issue, the concept of regenerative agriculture comes into focus. Regenerative technologies offer environmentally friendly solutions that restore farmlands and ensure sustainable practices. By embracing regenerative practices, farmers can minimize waste and environmental harm, leading to a circular use of resources.

Adopting regenerative and circular practices in agriculture yields numerous benefits for consumers and their families. Firstly, the nutritional quality of crops improves, promoting a healthier diet for consumers. Additionally, these practices allow for greater diet diversification, enabling access to a wide range of food groups in local markets throughout the year. This, in turn, enhances food security by cultivating more resilient farmlands. Over time, regenerative agriculture reduces consumers' exposure to toxic chemicals, thereby contributing to overall food safety.

As global food systems become increasingly complex and interconnected, they also become more susceptible to risks. Consequently, determining the safety of food available in local markets and supermarkets becomes a daunting task for the average consumer. While various regulatory bodies and standards exist to ensure food safety, such as local food safety standards and regular checks conducted by governmental agencies, the focus is primarily on the quality of seeds and packaging. However, the burden of confirming the quality of soils in which these foods grow remains largely unaddressed.

To ensure safe food production and mitigate risks effectively, it is imperative for the Ministries of Health and Agriculture to collaborate and establish mechanisms and policies that safeguard soil quality in agricultural areas. While advocating for organic farming remains crucial, it is equally essential to critically evaluate our food production systems and lobby county and national governments to prioritize soil restoration efforts to enhance productivity. Recognizing that food safety is a vital component of sustainable food systems, governments must prioritize investments in soil restoration to boost soil productivity and guarantee the safety of our food.

Healthy soil serves as the bedrock for food safety and sustainable agriculture. As we navigate an era of heightened awareness and scrutiny regarding the safety of our food, understanding the vital link between healthy soil and the well-being of consumers becomes paramount. By embracing regenerative agriculture and prioritizing soil restoration efforts, we can pave the way towards sustainable food systems that not only nourish our bodies but also protect the environment. Let us champion the cause of healthy soil and invest in a future where food safety is paramount for a healthy nation.

About DFCD

Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) Projects enable society to adapt to and fend off the effects of climate change through proven concepts of innovative technologies. The fund will be active in all sectors as long as the investment is climate relevant. The focus is on developing countries specifically the poorest of the poorest with key focus countries as per Dutch ODA policy. The fund will be financing investment-related projects which will not thrive with only market finance. The financial mechanisms within the fund will be loans; guarantees and grants and aims to next to public means focus on mobilizing private funding.