Nearly 1.4 billion hectares of land—more than 10 percent of the global land area—are currently affected by salinity, said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Salt-affected soils are becoming a growing concern worldwide. The climate crisis and human mismanagement are making the situation worse. The report warns that an extra one billion hectares are at risk. The findings were unveiled at the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 in Bangkok. They underscore the urgent need for action to combat soil degradation. Immediate efforts are also needed to address water scarcity.
Salt-affected soils severely hinder agricultural productivity, threatening food security as global population numbers grow. The FAO report estimates that 10 percent of both irrigated and rainfed cropland are already impacted by salinity. This leads to significant crop yield losses up to 70 percent in some regions. This is especially for crops like rice and beans.
The global total of salt-affected soils is approximately 1,381 million hectares (Mha), accounting for 10.7 percent of global land area. Yet, with rising temperatures and worsening aridity due to climate change, this figure will increase significantly. It reach between 24 and 32 percent of the global land area by the end of the century. Developing countries, particularly those with arid climates, are expected to bear the brunt of this shift.
KEY COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY SALT-AFFECTED SOILS
A few countries are particularly hard-hit by salt-affected soils. Afghanistan, Australia, and Argentina are part of this group. China, Kazakhstan, and Russia are also included. Additionally, the United States, Iran, Sudan, and Uzbekistan contribute to 70 percent of the world’s salt-affected soils. These regions face mounting challenges in managing land productivity and combating soil salinization, which threatens both local ecosystems and agriculture.
DRIVERS OF SALINISATION: NATURAL AND HUMAN-INDUCED FACTORS
Salinisation is driven by both natural processes and human activities. The climate crisis plays a significant role. Rising sea levels threaten to exacerbate salinization in coastal regions. This could affect over a billion people by the century’s end. Additionally, global warming is causing the thawing of permafrost, which further contributes to soil salinisation.
Human-induced factors, including poor agricultural practices, inadequate irrigation systems, deforestation, and overuse of fertilizers, are major contributors to the problem. Overexploiting freshwater resources for irrigation has led to groundwater salinisation, making it harder to keep soil health and agricultural productivity.
FAO’S CALL FOR ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
The FAO emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable management of salt-affected soils to meet the growing global demand for food. To combat soil degradation, the report outlines a range of strategies aimed at mitigating and adapting to salinisation:
- Mitigation strategies: These include mulching, using interlayers of loose materials, and installing proper drainage systems. Improving crop rotations also helps to reduce the impact of salt accumulation.
- Adaptation strategies: FAO highlights the potential of breeding salt-tolerant plants, like halophytes, which thrive in saline conditions. Additionally, bioremediation techniques—using plants, bacteria, fungi, or animals to remove or neutralize salt in the soil—are emerging as effective solutions.
IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR SOIL PROTECTION
To address the growing challenge, the FAO report calls for national and international legal frameworks. These frameworks aim to protect natural saline ecosystems. They also ensure the sustainable management of agricultural soils under irrigation. The ultimate goal is to safeguard soil productivity, improve water quality, and ensure sustainable food production for future generations.
COMPLEMENTARY WATER REPORTS: FAO’S INSIGHTS ON WATER-USE EFFICIENCY
The Bangkok event also saw the release of two progress reports from the FAO. The first report explores global trends in water-use efficiency, offering recommendations for better water management. The second report examines the pressure on renewable freshwater resources from various economic sectors, highlighting regions facing critical water stress. Both reports are integral to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2, which focus on water efficiency and freshwater resource management.