The nexus between soil degradation and agricultural expansion in Zambia

Soil degradation is caused by overcultivation and nutrient depletion by crops. A well-resourced farmer who maintains a proper nutrient balance through soil fertility improvement programmes may be able to curb this degradation. The use of pesticides and fertilizers also affects the biological properties of the soil and nutrient recycling. Although the study did not reveal a causal link between farmer’s resources and soil fertility, soils exposed to degradation may compel farmers to seek fertile soils in natural habitats to produce better yields.

This briefing was originally published on the Sentinel website