Read at : Google Alerts – desertification
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2013/06/16/78-million-tonnes-of-soil-nutrients-lost-yearly-nhema/
7,8 million tonnes of soil nutrients lost yearly — Nhema
A cabinet minister has challenged Zimbabweans to practise good land use through land conversation, as it played a critical role in the mitigation of drought and water scarcity in the country.
By Don Makanyanga
Speaking ahead of the World Day to Combat Desertification to be commemorated tomorrow, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Francis Nhema urged Zimbabweans to adopt conservative land use methods as the country was badly affected by poor land practices that degraded the environment.
“In Zimbabwe soil erosion carries away an annual average of 1,6 million tonnes of nitrogen, 15,6 million tonnes of organic matter and 0,24 million of phosphorus,” said Nhema.
“A total of 17,8 million tonnes of soil nutrients are lost on arable land only each year due to land degradation.”
The Natural Resources minister said all Zimbabweans were responsible for land conservation, as failing to do so would affect natural resources and precipitate environmental changes in the future.
“Land degradation does not have to threaten our future, we need to take corrective action and promote the use of sustainable land management practices such as reforestation, restoration of soil productivity and reduction of soil erosion through sustainable land cover management, organic farming and agro-forestry,” he said.
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Tulipa (Photo WVC)
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