World: Salinity is affecting 1.4 billion hectares of land, threatening food security

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has published a report on salt-affected soils, marking the first major global assessment in five decades. The findings are alarming, revealing that 1.4 billion hectares of land, over 10% of the Earth's total surface, are already impacted by salinity. Additionally, one billion hectares face imminent risk due to climate change and poor land management practices. The report, titled The Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils, was launched at the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 in Bangkok. Organized by FAO and Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the forum highlighted the critical need for action to counter soil degradation and water scarcity. Salt-affected soils, characterized by excessive salinity, significantly reduce agricultural productivity, with crop yields for staples like rice and beans plummeting by as much as 70%. This poses a severe challenge to global food security, especially as the demand ...