“Because it’s everywhere, we tend to overlook the fact that soil is a limited natural resource”

Soil is a finite natural resource. On a human time-scale it is non-renewable. However, despite the essential role that soil plays in the life of people, there is increasing degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate practices, burgeoning population pressures and inadequate governance over this essential resource.

The vision: 

Improve global governance of the limited soil resources of the planet in order to guarantee healthy and productive soils for a food secure world, as well as sustain other essential ecosystem services.  

The mission:

Develop capacities, build on best available science, and facilitate/contribute to the exchange of knowledge and technologies among stakeholders for sustainable management of soil resources at all levels.

FAO Assistant Director-General Alexander Müller and other international experts talk about the Global Soil Partnership. Why a Global Soil Partnership? What are the threats on soils? Why and how can they be addressed? 

Check out our video interviews and find out the importance of the Global Soil Partnership to protect soils and support food security.

Soil resources are limited and need to be preserved for feeding the growing population of the world by 2050.

Maintaining healthy soils required for feeding the growing population of the world and meeting their needs for biomass (energy), fiber, fodder, and other products can only be ensured through a strong partnership.

"Soil anaemia also breeds human anaemia. Micronutrient deficiency in the soil results in micronutrient malnutrition in people, since crops grown on such soils tend to be deficient in the nutrients needed to fight hidden hunger. (...) Managing our soil and water resources in a sustainable and equitable manner needs a new political vision."

M.S. Swaminathan