MEXICO CITY, 2025-06-21
Combating desertification: A Global Effort
The World Day to Fight Desertification and Drought highlights the critical need for lasting land management.
- 56.7% of Mexico’s national territory faces soil degradation.
- The FAO promotes soil restoration through initiatives like “Soils for Nutrition.”
- Mexico leads globally in the “Global doctors of the Soil” program.
What is being done to combat soil degradation and its effects on food production? Every June 17, the world observes the World Day to Fight Desertification and Drought, a day created by the United Nations to raise awareness of the effects of land degradation on food production, rural areas, and ecosystem health. In Mexico, this issue is particularly pressing.
According to data from the National Arid Areas Commission (CONaza), a staggering 56.7% of the national territory experiences some degree of soil degradation. This problem,worsened by climate change and the overexploitation of natural resources,threatens agricultural output,water access,and the viability of rural areas.Recognizing the urgency,the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is spearheading a extensive soil restoration agenda.
The cost of Inaction: Land degradation can lead to economic losses, reduced agricultural yields, and increased poverty in affected regions.
The FAO is working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Advancement, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany (BMEL), the University Interdisciplinary Studies Program (PUIS) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and other institutions. Together, they are pushing forward innovative solutions to protect the land.
Soils for Nutrition: A Rooted Approach
A key initiative is the “Soils for Nutrition” project, which promotes sustainable soil management as crucial for improving agricultural production, promoting healthy nutrition, and ensuring environmental sustainability. The project focuses on strengthening technical capabilities by training rural producers and extension workers, encouraging good agricultural practices backed by scientific evidence, and aligning public policies to conserve, restore, and sustainably use land resources.
Mexico has also been recognized for its institutional progress, like the National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture, and its leadership in concrete actions to improve soil health.
national Soil Strategy: mexico’s commitment to a National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture demonstrates a proactive approach to soil health and long-term agricultural productivity.
National Efforts with a Global Vision
Among these actions is the implementation of the “Recsoil – Soil Recarbonization” program, developed with technical collaboration from the FAO and funding from the European Union. This program helps to mitigate climate change by capturing organic carbon in agricultural soils. Furthermore, the formation of the Mexican Alliance for Soils (AMEXU), part of the World Alliance for the Ground, provides a vital platform for coordination and technical exchange between public, private, academic, and community stakeholders.
In the area of diagnosis and monitoring, Mexico has launched the Mexican Red Laboratories (Mexolan), integrated into the global network GLOSOLAN, which connects analytical capabilities across the country.
Mexico currently holds the first place worldwide in implementing the FAO initiative “global Doctors of the Soil.” To date, 677 “doctors of the ground” have been certified. Of these, 27% are women and 73% are men. There are also 172 Certified Trainers and Trainers, along with 10 Specialized Training Technicians present in 28 states across the country.
Global Doctors of the soil: With 677 certified professionals, Mexico is leading the charge in practical soil management expertise.
Restoring the Earth, Creating Opportunities
On the World Day to Fight Desertification and Drought, FAO Mexico reaffirms the strategic value of soil as a fundamental resource to address food insecurity, adapt to climate change, and generate sustainable opportunities. This commitment is exemplified not only by “Soils for Nutrition” but also by additional actions like the restoration of forest landscapes through the “GreenMex” project, and the recognition of traditional agricultural systems such as “Metepantle” of Tlaxcala through the “Vital World Agricultural Heritage Systems – Sipam” program. These efforts involve collaboration with technicians, universities, producers, and local governments.
As everything starts on the ground.
MEXICO CITY, 2025-06-21
The Impact of Climate Change: A Deeper Dive
As discussed, soil degradation, exacerbated by a changing climate and unsustainable practices, poses a significant threat to Mexico’s agricultural productivity and the well-being of its rural communities. Understanding the specific impacts of climate change is crucial for designing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
One of the primary ways that climate change impacts land is through altered precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and intense droughts and floods. These extreme weather events accelerate soil erosion, reduce soil fertility, and make it more challenging for farmers to cultivate crops. Rising temperatures further compound the problem by increasing evaporation rates, leading to drier soils and greater water scarcity in many regions.
Climate change fuels land degradation through extreme weather events and altered precipitation patterns. These issues considerably impact agricultural yields and the stability of rural communities.
Unpacking the Consequences
The consequences of these climate-related impacts are far-reaching. Reduced agricultural yields can lead to food insecurity and increased reliance on imports. Water scarcity affects not only agriculture but also domestic water supplies and the functioning of ecosystems. Economic losses from crop failures and land degradation can exacerbate poverty and drive migration from rural areas.
The rising temperatures also increase the risk of wildfires, which can decimate vegetation cover and further degrade soil quality. Additionally, climate change can alter the distribution of pests and diseases, putting additional stress on crops and livestock.
Adapting and Mitigating: What Can Be Done?
Addressing the climate change that affects soil degradation requires a two-pronged approach: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of climate change. Adaptation focuses on building resilience to the effects of climate change that are already happening.
How can farmers and local communities adapt to climate change? Implementing climate-smart agriculture practices, such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and water harvesting, are examples of how this can be done. These methods protect soil from erosion, improve water retention, and build soil organic matter, making farmland more resilient to extreme weather events. Diversifying crops can also reduce the risk of crop failure and improve the nutritional value of diets.
Community and Policy Actions
Policy plays a crucial role here. Goverment support for climate-smart agriculture,sustainable land management,is vital. Investing in early warning systems for droughts and floods can help communities prepare for and respond to extreme events.Protecting and restoring forests,which act as carbon sinks and help regulate water cycles,is another important step that is also being looked at at the national level.
Implementing climate-smart agricultural practices can play a pivotal part in improving farmland resilience to extreme weather events. These practices include no-till farming and water harvesting.
Community involvement is essential for prosperous adaptation. Empowering local communities to make decisions about land management, supporting local knowlege, and promoting education about climate change are all critical for building resilience. The experiences of farmers in Mexico’s northern regions, who have long faced arid conditions, offer valuable lessons for adapting to climate-related challenges.
Practical Steps for a Resilient Future
Here are some actionable steps individuals, communities, and governments can take:
- Embrace Climate-Smart Agriculture: Implement practices like cover cropping, no-till farming, and water harvesting. Encourage the use of drought-resistant crops.
- Support Sustainable Land Management: Promote reforestation and afforestation projects to restore degraded lands.
- Invest in Early Warning Systems: Develop and support early warning systems for droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.
- Strengthen Local Knowledge: Value and integrate local knowledge, building communities.
- Promote education and Awareness: Educate communities about climate change and available resources.
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