Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
engineering, cannot extract water and nutrients from any soil where they do not exist.
The yield potential of improved germplasm can be realized only if grown under recom-
mended management practices of soil, water, and crop husbandry. Being the foundation
of agrarian societies, sustainable management of soils is the engine of economic develop-
ment, political stability, and transformation of rural communities in developing countries.
1.6.3.2 Indicators of Soil Quality Improvement
Even modest improvements in soil quality can have a drastic positive effect on agro-
nomic productivity, food security, farm income, and the environment. Thus, it is
important to develop indicators of soil quality improvement (soil health score card
system) that farmers can relate to and scientists can quantify.
1.6.3.3 Training Cadre of Young Researchers
Regional problems of soil degradation and desertification (e.g., those in Sub-Saharan
Africa and South Asia) will be solved by researchers from the regions who also
understand social, cultural, ethnic, and political issues. Therefore, a cadre of young
scientists and researchers must be trained who are good world citizens, prepared for
life, responsive to societal needs, and useful to humanity. Science without humanity
is one of the serious blunders (Mahatma Gandhi). Researchers must be trained in
problem-solving skills, creativity, and originality.
1.6.3.4 Building Bridges across Nations
Soil degradation and desertification are global issues; they do not respect political
boundaries, equally affect all irrespective of ethnicity, and cannot be addressed in
isolation. Research programs must be developed that strengthen linkages among
institutions in different countries facing similar problems. Building bridges across
nations is essential to mitigating desertification.
1.6.3.5 Lack of Technology Adoption
There has been a serious lack of adoption of improved soil and water management
technologies especially by the resource-poor farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa and
South Asia (e.g., mulch farming, NT, cover cropping, INM). It is probably because
the top-down approach is not effective in technology transfer. Scientists need to
identify reasons for the lack of technology adoption and develop programs based on
participatory approaches. Scientists must also understand that adoption of “technol-
ogy without wisdom” is equally problematic (Lal 2007).
Thus, the theme of this volume is elaboration of these and other basic principles
of soil management.
1.7 CONCLUSIONS
The trilemma of food insecurity, global warming, and environmental degradation
can be effectively addressed by enhancing soil quality. The interest in enhancing
agronomic yield of food crops is an important issue from many perspectives includ-
ing food security (Lal 2006), biofuel production (Gitiaux et al. 2011), and poverty
alleviation (Brown et al. 2011). Sustainable economic development, especially in
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