Desertification is one of the world’s most alarming environmental degradation processes of our time. The process is that fertile land turns into unproductive land, being a consequence of overexploitation of land in the conditions of intensive farming, deforestation to produce fuel and timber, and overgrazing by livestock. Thus, the word “desertification” does not exactly mean desert and arid regions, but the consequences of overuse of the Earth’s resources.
The problem of desertification is a problem of global importance, which has serious consequences for the system of international environmental security. The consequences of devastation and drought are food insecurity, hunger and poverty. The resulting social, economic and political tensions can lead to conflicts, further impoverishment and increased land degradation.
Fighting devastation requires investment and extensive scientific research. It is necessary to change the public consciousness in many ways, too. Responsible organizations and governments often do not pay enough attention to the problem of marginal lands, simply leaving them to their fate, which significantly worsens the situation.
It is necessary to stop the process of soil change towards desertification. And this will be possible only when people begin minding the future, not just current profits.
The basic concept of sustainable development provides for the limitation and control of the exploitation of natural resources. Therefore, compliance with advanced processes and technology that do not harm the environment attracts potential customers, partners and consumers to agricultural products.
ISO standards help businesses achieve such legal and industry compliance by setting functional safety criteria, traceability and quality at all levels, from stock to raw materials.
The certification bodies of SIC International Certification System provide certification services for compliance with the requirements of the ISO standards (https://www.sic-global.com/certification).
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the problems of preservation and reproduction of land fertility.