5 December 2014: The national annual benefits from no-till conservation agriculture in Ukraine could counterbalance natural capital depletion caused by soil erosion, according to an analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the World Bank. Their report, titled ‘Ukraine: Soil Fertility to Strengthen Climate Resilience,’ provides recommendations on addressing soil erosion, climate change impacts and excessive land tillage in Ukraine.
The report describes the importance of Ukraine’s black “chernozem” soil, which covers more than half of the country’s landmass. Chernozem soil, which is rich in organic matter and highly fertile, contributes to favorable agro-ecological conditions and exceptional agricultural yield in Ukraine.
Poor land management practices, climate change and excessive land tillage have contributed to soil erosion in Ukraine, according to the report. The World Bank estimates that the country loses over 500 million tonnes of soil from its arable land, resulting in a loss of over 32 million hectares of fertile soil, as well as the siltation of rivers, dam reservoirs and harbors, which in turn impacts hydroelectric power stations. In southern Ukraine, soil erosion has resulted in desertification.
The report also describes the impacts of climate change on Ukraine’s soil. It notes that increasingly frequent and intense droughts have contributed to a decline in crop productivity, underscoring that such events and impacts are predicted to be exacerbated in the future, particularly in the south, which produces 50% of Ukraine’s grain.
Climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices represent a sustainable way to address soil erosion, according to the report. It proposes no-till conservation agriculture to maintain soil fertility, reduce soil erosion, and enhance drought resilience, among other benefits. For instance, the FAO and World Bank suggest that national annual benefits from no-till conservation agriculture on 17 million hectares could counterbalance the US$5 billion natural capital depletion caused by soil erosion (without counting environmental and food security benefits), an amount equal to 34% of Ukraine’s agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). The report also quantifies predicted benefits from the adoption of conservation agriculture for improved food security, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and increased carbon sequestration. [World Bank Press Release] [Publication: Ukraine: Soil Fertility to Strengthen Climate Resilience]