Soil degradation

What’s happening 

Soil degradation is one of the most pressing ecological problems in Kazakhstan. After years of practicing unsustainable farming and waste management soil degradation began to spread. The soil is also contaminated with chemicals and pesticides. 

Geography of the region

Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and it’s dominated by steppes and grasslands. Kazakhstan is rich with minerals, natural resources, and arable land exploitation of which led to environmental problems. 20% of Kazakhstan's land is under cultivation. Approximately 250 000 km² of steppe were plowed up to grow grain during the Virgin Lands campaign in the 1950s, which transformed most of the north into a vast wheat field. It was largely unsuccessful due to the land erosion caused by automated agriculture, which exposed the thin layers of fertile soil to wind and other weather factors, resulting in significant losses. Kazakhstan still grows wheat intensively, though.

Why we need to act

• Soil degradation threatens food security 

• Approximately 12% of labour force is employed in agriculture and this problem could hinder their employment

• Soil degradation exacerbates the effects of climate change 

• Severe impact on human health 

Statistics 

• Currently, 90 million hectares, or around 33% of Kazakhstan's geographical area, are impacted by several types of soil degradation.

• Erosion has already severely reduced the fertility and agricultural potential of 29 million hectares of this land.

• A total of 27.1 million hectares, or 15% of all pasturelands, are degraded.

What’s new 

• Recently experts gathered at an international conference in Astana to discuss Kazakhstan's pressing problems of pollution and degraded agricultural land. A number of suggestions were made at the conference to stop these issues and lessen their effects.

• Introduction of a new law on soil protection in 2024 

• Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the FAO, is restoring degraded lands through drought-resistant technologies and improved soil management practices. 

• Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides” project. 

Human consequences:

• Farmers are migrating from rural to urban regions as a result of decreasing crop yields and income loss.

• Communities in degraded areas suffer from dirty water, bad air quality, and dust storms.

• Food insecurity is more likely as agricultural productivity declines, especially for low-income households.

• As meadows diminish, traditional lifestyles are in danger.

Potential solutions

• Adopting sustainable agriculture management 

• Raising public awareness 

• Increasing transparency 

• Modern irrigation systems 

• Reduce overcultivation 

How we’re thinking about this

Degradation of the soil is an undercover issue that is as harmful to Kazakhstan as air pollution or shrinking lakes. If prompt action is not taken, the country could risk deteriorating its agricultural basis, escalating food insecurity, and growing rural poverty. By adopting sustainable practices and investing in soil restoration, Kazakhstan can protect its people and environment and ensure that its vast steppe will remain a resource rather than a liability for future generations.