Recap from Global Food Talk: “Ensuring healthy soils as the foundation of sustainable food for all”
In connection with World Soil Day, Food Nation hosted a Global Food Talk on the fundamental role of healthy soils in addressing global challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and sustainability.
With the United Nations’ World Soil Day as a reference point, Food Nation live-streamed a Global Food Talk on 5 December, reaching participants from over 26 countries. Participants were enlightened and inspired by key notes and fireside discussions on how to ensure healthy soils as the foundation of sustainable food for all.
The opening speech was delivered by Jacob Jensen, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, who emphasised Denmark’s ambitious climate goals: achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. Minister Jacob Jensen highlighted the critical relationship between soil health, climate action, biodiversity preservation, and global food production.
Lifeng Li, Secretary of the Global Soil Partnership and Director of the Land and Water Division at FAO, sat the stage for the Global Food Talk with a keynote speech addressing the urgency for action. He detailed the key role of soils in food security, water management, and carbon sequestration, and showcased FAO initiatives like global soil mapping to support farmers and policymakers in adopting sustainable practices.
Watch the Global Food Talk here:
Bridging science and practice
In the first fireside talk, Jacob Sterling, Head of Sustainability Advisory at Preferred by Nature, and Professor Jørgen E. Olesen, Head of Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, discussed strategies for translating scientific knowledge into actionable farm-level solutions. They adressed tools like soil sampling and artificial intelligence, emphasising the importance of education and knowledge-sharing to support farmers in understanding soil-specific threats and implement sustainable management techniques.
The role of digital tools
In the second fireside talk Simon Haldrup, CEO of Agreena, showcased the power of digital tools in scaling sustainable solutions. By leveraging satellite imagery and carbon monitoring systems, these technologies empower farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture. They not only optimise farming operations but also create opportunities to monetise sustainable efforts through carbon credits, making eco-friendly practices economically viable.
Innovative seed solutions
Derek Bartlem, Executive Vice Presidents & CSO at DLF, presented in the second fireside advancements in seed technology, including perennial crops and legumes with deep-rooting systems that enhance soil structure, fix nitrogen, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. Their localised approach underscores the importance of tailoring solutions to regional conditions and fostering partnerships between research institutions and industry to validate the impact of innovations.
Cross-value chain collaboration is key
A key takeaway is that soil health impacts more than just agriculture. It is the foundation of food security, climate resilience, and sustainability in global food systems. Protecting and restoring soils require collaborative efforts across the entire value chain: research, innovative technologies, and strong partnerships – ensuring a sustainable food system for both current and future generations.