Land, like air and water, is a critical resource for humanity. Land degradation is a global challenge that affects everyone through food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Land degradation is occurring alarmingly, contributing to a dramatic decline in cropland and rangeland productivity worldwide.  

In the absence of immediate action, land degradation will worsen, which is one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Globally, approximately 25% of total land area has degradations. Land degradation releases soil carbon and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, making it one of the most significant contributors to climate change. Scientists recently warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil went to waste due to unsustainable agricultural practices. If current trends continue, 95 percent of the world’s land areas may be degraded by 2050. 

Land degradation affects 3.2 billion people globally, primarily rural communities and smallholder farmers. With rising demand for agricultural products such as food, feed, fiber, and fuel, the world population will grow by about 35% to 9.7 billion by 2050. However, pressure on global resources is increasing due to other factors, including agricultural production systems that have become less resilient to biodiversity loss and natural changes such as climate variability and extreme weather events. Climate change exacerbates variations in crop yields and income, threatening agroecosystem resilience and the stability of food production systems. 

The problems are especially severe in the world’s driest regions. Dryland landscapes cover roughly 40% of the world’s land area and are home to two billion people. Most of the world’s dryland people live in developing countries, where women and children are especially vulnerable to the effects of land degradation and drought. 

Reasons for Land Degradation

Growing Demand: As demand for food, fodder, fuel, and raw materials rises, so does land pressure and competition for natural resources. It affects land use, resulting in overgrazing and conversion to other land uses.  

Unsustainable agricultural practices: Agricultural occupies approximately 141 million hectares of land in India. Agriculture’s poor land and water management practices have significantly contributed to land degradation. Irrigation and high chemical use (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) contribute to degradation.