Perspectives: Restoring our soils by learning from history

Most of our ideas about soils ignore the millions of years before mankind started farming. But what happened during the 99.9% of a soil’s history contains very important lessons. So let us celebrate the International Year of Soils by looking at what that history can tell us – and build on those lessons for the … Read more

Globally connected: News from the AgriCultures Network

Members of the AgriCultures Network are working together to advance family farming and agroecology, drawing lessons from farmers’ fields, sharing knowledge, and working with social movements for policy change. Here are some of our latest updates. India: Kitchen gardens for improved nutrition To contribute to better nutrition for family farmers, AME Foundation is working with … Read more

Call for articles: Making good use of scarce water

Deadline: 1st of June 2015 With climate changing, water is becoming the most critical natural resource. Much more than an economic resource, it is vital for the survival of every living being. Moreover the population is growing and competition for water between different sectors is intensifying. Agriculture is the biggest water user, with irrigation accounting … Read more

Building carbon in farm soils

Carbon-conscious farmers in the UK work with nature not against it, concerned about the health of their soils for future generations. They use principles of ‘feeding the soil not the plant’, understanding and encouraging soil biology, and harvesting sunlight to maximum effect. These farmers understand that we must repair damaged soils, and reduce our dependency … Read more

Keeping composting simple

More than two decades ago in the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar, farmers began planting two rice crops each year. Rice production increased, but for how long? Depleted organic matter and acidification are now affecting soil health, and farmers who can’t afford fertilizer are seeing their rice yields declining. This is why 200 farmers started to … Read more

“Healthy soils give family farmers autonomy, resilience and long-term productivity”

“If you have a healthy, living soil, you have healthy plants and healthy people. These three things are closely linked.” Irene Cardoso, a professor of soil science at the Federal University of Viçosa and a member of ILEIA’s board is passionate about soils and family farmers. In her role as president of the Brazilian Agroecology … Read more

Traditional fallows support resilient farming on semi-arid sandy soils

The arid southern highlands of the Bolivian Andes are a harsh environment for even the most hardened farmers. The ‘quinoa boom’ and the move to mechanisation have led to shortened fallows and a drastic drop in soil organic matter. The dry sandy soils and the natural vegetation they support are increasingly degraded, but in the … Read more

Enriching the soul of the soil

Who will take care of mother earth if the youth don’t take up farming? Rita Ikponmwosa believes that the opinions and experiences of youth will help to break the poverty in our soils and our soils. Soil marks the beginning and end of all life forms. As the foundation for agriculture, soil provides us with … Read more

Farmers in focus: The minerals in our soil are also in our crops

Nico Vandevannet and his family are convinced that healthy food comes from healthy soils. And, in the light of climate change, they also believe that their healthy soils are an investment in the future. My name is Nico Vandevannet. It is because of the life in our soil that we are able to grow about … Read more

Finding a way out of the maize

Recurring drought and crop failure in many parts of the world have led to food and nutrition insecurity, and a dependence on food aid. But recently, some farmers in Kenya have been developing their own sustainable way to secure enough nutritious food along with extra income so that they can send their children to school. … Read more