Healthy soil matters for our health – and the health of the planet

Just like us, soil is a living organism that needs air, water and essential nutrients to thrive. Healthy soil maintains water management, recycles nutrients, and plays a pivotal role in storing carbon, helping mitigate climate change. Soil health is the foundation for resilient crop production and sustainable farming.

Read our position on Soil health (pdf, 0.6 MB) 

Key role of fertilizers for soil health

Farmers applying fertilizer to healthy soil

Balanced crop nutrition together with good agricultural practices are crucial for the regeneration of our soils. When fertilizers are applied to degraded soils and supported by a balanced crop nutrition program, the soil organic matter will increase.

Analysis of more than a hundred long-term fertilizer trials shows that fertilized land has a higher soil organic matter content than unfertilized land. Land managed by supplying organic sources of nutrients, in addition to mineral sources, has the highest content of soil organic matter.

Drone view of field
Drone view of field

“Our planet and humanity are basically supported by a 10-30 centimeter layer of soil, and it is our most precious resource.”

Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO in World Economic Forum

 

Has your soil had a health check?

Sampling soil for analysis

Yara Analytical Services analyzes thousands of soil samples each year from all corners of the globe using indicators to measure soil fertility and soil health. Soil health assessment results are expressed as Yara’s Soil Health Score to allow for comparison and benchmarking, and ultimately to better define and monitor specific soil management practices.

Contact us for a soil analysis

Restoring carbon to the soil

Carbon sequester in soil

The Agoro Carbon Alliance offers farmers expertise and support to sequester carbon in the soil and reduce emissions in the field, two crucial elements to increase soil health and mitigate climate change. This will enable us to reward farmers for climate-smart practices and help create new revenue streams for them.

Learn more about the Agoro Carbon Alliance

Swedish farmer looking out to his farm Swedish farmer looking out to his farm

 

How would you describe your relationship to the soil on your farm?

We asked farmers across Europe this question. The answers we got are moving testimonials to a deep and heartfelt relationship between farmers and their soil.

Read stories of farmers nurturing their soil