Australian Soil Consortium calls for food revolution

The Australian Soil Consortium (ASC) - a group of farmers, agribusiness companies and scientists who are concerned for the future of one of the nation’s most valuable assets - says Australia needs a nationwide effort to raise soil fertility.

ASC Chair David Shannon says improving soil productivity has the following advantages:

• Increasing farm yields by 10-15%;
• Containing more carbon and thus lowering emissions;
• Underpinning national food security and export earnings into the future.

Soil scientist Professor Roger Swift said world demand for food is expected to increase by at least 50% in volume and 77% in value by 2050 - mainly in Asia. Australia now has a chance to become a major supplier for the region, he said, yet “our farm productivity has been declining since the mid-1990s”. He said if we don’t tackle this decline, it will result in:

• Higher food prices for all Australians;
• Lower profits for farmers;
• Heavier competition in our export markets from new players;
• Regional Australia missing out on an opportunity for economic growth.

Shannon said, “Most people don’t know it, but every meal they eat results in loss of topsoil. It means we are mining our planet in order to feed ourselves - and we urgently need to find better ways of doing it.

“We believe that by combining the skills of Australian farmers, the talent of our researchers and the expertise of agribusiness around soil, we can create a new, sustainable revolution in food production that will benefit everyone - consumers especially.”

The ASC is thus calling for a new national research effort focused on:

1. Engaging producers, consumers and policymakers: New knowledge about the economic and societal factors that will shape consumer preferences, social acceptability and the adoption of innovation by producers.
2. Measuring and monitoring soil health: Defining appropriate thresholds, methods and technologies for more accurate and rapid monitoring of soil health to drive productivity.
3. Innovative farm practices and technologies: New technology, methods and knowledge that drive input efficiencies within the farming system.
4. Novel soil-plant interfaces: New knowledge and models to identify plant traits for increased nutrient and water use efficiency.

“This will help keep the lid on rising world food prices, ensure a healthier and more reliable food supply, and also reduce the risks faced by food production from climate change,” said Shannon.