A Scoop of Soil – How Important Can It Be?

Soil health refers to the soil’s ability to maintain good structure and support a rich microbiome, which creates the foundation for healthy plants. Soil rich in microbial life contributes to increased humus and carbon content, providing resilience against drought and heavy rainfall.

Why is good soil health important?

It is incredibly important to care for our agricultural soil, as only about one sixth of the Earth’s habitable land is suitable for farming. With a growing global population and the effects of climate change, protecting our farmland is more critical than ever. Healthy soil plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance and storing carbon – key to supporting a sustainable food production system in the face of a changing climate.

Over the past centuries, farms have grown larger, more intensive, and increasingly specialized in their production focus. We need to approach agriculture—both livestock farming and crop cultivation—with a more circular and holistic mindset. The farmland we use is suited for different crops, and only certain areas are ideal for growing crops for human consumption. This is where I see livestock production playing a key role, enabling us to make full use of all types of farmland. For example, livestock can convert fibers and proteins from poor grasslands into nutrient-dense food for humans. Additionally, manure from livestock is essential for maintaining soil humus levels, microbial life, and nutrient content. Greater collaboration between these types of farms would benefit both the climate and soil health.

However, beyond the long-term benefits of improved soil health, is it profitable for farmers to transition from today’s intensive farming practices to more circular methods in the short term? And what incentives exist to encourage this shift?

Good soil health + photosynthesis = carbon sequestration

When soil health is strong, and photosynthesis does its job, carbon is stored in the soil. Globally, agriculture accounts for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. In Sweden, the numbers are slightly better – primary production in the agricultural sector contributes about 15 percent of total emissions. By comparison, the industrial sector is responsible for 33 percent of all emissions.

When soil health is good and photosynthesis is functioning, carbon is stored in the soil.

Note that fossil fuels are not the primary source of emissions in Swedish agriculture. Greenhouse gas emissions primarily stem from biological processes in crop cultivation and livestock farming – specifically, the methane and other gases released from animal digestion and manure in livestock production. After livestock production, nearly 40 percent of agricultural greenhouse gases come from biological processes linked to the soil, including the production and use of synthetic fertilizers.

Soil releases greenhouse gases mainly when microorganisms break down and decompose organic matter. This activity peaks when soil is disturbed – such as during plowing or tilling. However, when crops grow, our superhero comes to the rescue: photosynthesis – the most energy-efficient consumer of carbon dioxide and carbon binder. Through photosynthesis, carbon is absorbed by the plants and transferred to microorganisms in the soil through the root system. These microorganisms transform the carbon into more stable forms that remain in the soil even after the plant dies and decomposes.

How is carbon dioxide captured in the soil?

When soil is turned, it is crucial to plant a new crop as soon as possible to recapture the carbon dioxide released during tilling and to absorb additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A cropping system where the soil is covered with plants for most of the year is an effective carbon sink. Keeping the soil covered and minimizing disturbance creates ideal conditions for earthworms, insects, and microorganisms. These organisms care for the soil and contribute to building good soil health.

By optimizing the soil’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as stable carbon, agriculture could transition from being a net emitter of greenhouse gases to a significant player in carbon sequestration. Many farmers already engage in activities that promote soil health, which is encouraging. However, I believe we need stronger incentives and a clear, profitable business model to accelerate the transformation of farmers’ mindsets and farming systems.

How can carbon sequestration become profitable?

Globally, several business models promote carbon sequestration and soil health. One example is carbon credits, a type of trading system that quantifies and assigns economic value to the reduction or capture of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. By measuring and validating carbon sequestration, farmers can be compensated for activities that store carbon in the soil.

Business models like carbon credits could make a significant difference both for those implementing these carbon-storing activities and for society at large. These models can address both carbon sequestration and soil health. It should be a given that the entire food supply chain – including consumers – contributes financially to positive climate services provided by producers.

By measuring and validating carbon sequestration, farmers can be compensated for carbon-storing activities.

So why isn’t it happening more?

Carbon credits are being developed in several parts of the world, including Sweden. One major challenge is finding cost-effective ways to measure how much carbon is stored in the soil. It’s a complex field, and there are still no precise figures on how much carbon can be sequestered. Soil’s ability to store carbon and sustain a rich microbiome is influenced by many factors, including soil type, water retention capacity, location, farming methods, and fertilization strategies. The sheer number of variables makes it difficult to measure year-to-year differences.

Research still has a long way to go in defining good soil health and what creates the optimal conditions for carbon sequestration. But one thing is clear—they are closely connected! More investment is needed in research and development in this area. Simply put, we need to measure more. But to have something worth measuring, more farmers must start transitioning their farming methods now.

At Axfoundation, when we develop sustainable food systems for the future, soil is an essential piece of the puzzle. Through practical testing in collaboration with researchers and other stakeholders, we explore how to achieve good soil health, how it impacts yields, and ultimately, how it can become profitable for farmers.

At Torsåker Farm, in partnership with Svensk Kolinlagring, we have adjusted the agricultural methods we use on certain fields and are monitoring the results through what we call intensive sampling sites. Here, we sample soil down to a depth of 90 centimeters and track a variety of parameters. The goal is to deepen our understanding of how these methods influence soil health and carbon sequestration.

All of us working within the food system need to understand the importance of soil health and the necessity of transitioning agriculture. We must encourage farmers, recognize the critical role they play, appreciate their practical efforts, and support every activity that contributes to a sustainable food system.

I truly believe that we can achieve a large-scale transformation of the system. But we must start where we stand – with the soil – one scoop at a time.