Workshop Module 4: Healthy Soil 117Healthy soils acts as a nutrient bank by storing nutrients that are ready for
plant use - The nutrients are not leached out of the soil.
A healthy soil has a balanced pH level - This means that it is not too acidic (like
vinegar) and not too alkaline (like salt).
Techniques that can be used to achieve healthy living soil
Most of these techniques are simple, do not require heavy work, and use local
materials.
- Use organic compost and liquid fertilizer - These provide a range of
nutrients, are cheap to make, increase the number of soil biota, and improve
the soil structure and quality. Use them regularly to continually improve the soil
quality. - Increase the number of soil biota, micro-organisms, bacteria, and
fungi in the soil - This can be done by using natural fertilizers, mulch, and EM
(Effective Micro-organisms). This will improve soil quality and improve all forms
of agriculture and animal production. - Use mulch - To protect the soil from direct sun, save water, and increase the
humus content of the soil. - Recycle nutrients - By recycling plants and animal manures back into the
system. - Use legumes - There are many different legumes which provide nitrogen for
the soil, mulch, and organic matter, food for humans and animals, windbreaks
and soil retention, animal habitats, diversity, and more. - Rotate crop production - Different plants need different nutrients to grow.
Rotating crops and growing different plants together makes the nutrient use
more balanced and easier to replenish.
These techniques are explained in detail through the creative thinking exercises and
participatory field activities that follow.