Soil Conditioners Market (2024-2031)

Soil is composed of organic and inorganic materials that promote plant growth. Soil provides structural support to plants and is the medium through which water and nutrients are delivered. Soil quality is the capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem and sustain plants, animals, and humans. Soil structure impacts plant growth as it determines the delivery of water, air, and nutrients to plants. Hence, agricultural yield depends on the quality of the soil.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), by 2050, the land under irrigation is expected to expand by 32.0 million hectares, while harvested irrigated land is expected to expand by 17.0% compared to 2018. These increases are expected to be witnessed in developing countries, leading to insufficient nutrient supply to crops. Also, soil erosion can decrease crop yield by up to 50%. Globally, 3.2 billion people, including rural communities and smallholder farmers, are affected by land degradation (Source: International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2019).

Healthy soil promotes plant growth, nutrient cycling, and biological control of plant pests and regulates water and air supply. These functions are affected by the interrelated physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil; however, such issues can be overcome through soil management practices. Soil management is important for the maintenance and enhancement of soil quality. Soil management helps protect soil and improves its performance.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Council established the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) in December 2012; a vigorous campaign was conducted to promote sustainable soil management. After the revision of major policies and scientific advancements over the past three decades, the World Soil Charter, under the aegis of the GSP, established the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, which includes objectives such as restoring degraded soil, striving to achieve a land degradation-neutral world, and implementing resilient agricultural practices that progressively improve soil quality and minimize soil contamination.

Moreover, the FAO sanctioned Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM) in December 2016 aimed at minimizing soil erosion, enhancing the soil’s organic matter content, fostering soil-nutrient balance and cycles, and preventing, minimizing, and mitigating soil salinization & alkalization, soil contamination, and soil acidification. The guidelines are also aimed at preserving and enhancing soil biodiversity, minimizing soil sealing, preventing and mitigating soil compaction, and improving soil water management. These guidelines highlight the rising awareness about soil management practices.

Furthermore, in May 2021, the Australian government introduced its National Soil Strategy, Australia’s first national policy on soil. It outlines how Australia will value, manage, and improve its soil over the next 20 years. The strategy prioritizes soil health and empowers soil innovation. In April 2022, the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) and the Dutch Embassy (Spain) organized a ‘water & soil management for resilient agriculture’ scoping mission in Murcia, Spain. The mission was an important step in planning a multi-day knowledge program on water-soil-agrifood in Murcia later in the year. Moreover, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 15 of the 2030 Agenda aims to ‘protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Thus, the increasing focus on soil management practices is boosting the adoption of soil conditioners, driving market growth.