In our everyday lives, we often forget what is happening underground, making it difficult to grasp the significant role this aspect of life plays in our existence, particularly regarding our diet.

When we envision the growth of a plant, the term "photosynthesis" often comes to mind, as we all remember the models we had to memorise in school. We think of light, water, and CO2. However, we tend to overlook what the plant actually grows in: the soil. Only when we continue flipping through the biology book do we encounter images of soil layers teeming with life, featuring wriggling worms and vibrant insects frolicking among the layered roots and mulch.

However, recent events have revealed a different reality: cracked, scorched, and depleted soils, crop losses, agricultural damage, and a dramatic decline in biodiversity. We are also confronted with images of forest fires and record temperatures in southern Europe and Germany, which starkly highlight the consequences of climate change.

According to the Grist news agency, heat waves that affect crop production could drive up food prices, thereby increasing inflation. In a report from last year, researchers from the European Central Bank investigated how abnormal temperatures can trigger “heatflation.” They examined seasonal temperatures and price indicators in 48 countries and found that hot summers had “by far the biggest and longest-lasting impact” on food prices. As Unilever aptly states, it could be argued that soils are more valuable than gold [2].

If we examine the past few years in Germany, we can already observe some dramatic crop failures following periods of drought. A recent research article on the future of the Earth indicates that the multi-year drought event of 2018-2020 in Europe has set a new standard, unprecedented in its intensity over the last 250 years. Based on long-term simulations, scientists have reached the alarming conclusion that this event is unusual compared to previous occurrences due to its significantly higher intensity and the rapid progression since it began. Similar observations can be made from the graph, which illustrates how the intensity of the drought has sharply increased in recent years.
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Some of you may recall that 2018, in addition to overcrowded swimming pools, was marked as the year with the worst drought and no rainfall since weather records began. The state of Brandenburg, for instance, faced grain losses of 27%, and the national harvest balance recorded a total loss of 680 million euros due to crop damage. Forage types such as hay (with a 50% reduction) and fodder maize (with a 22% reduction) were particularly affected [4].

This year, drought stress is also widespread. Soils in eastern German states, particularly Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg, are experiencing extreme drought stress in deeper soil layers [5]. Farmer Tino Ryll, who manages a 500-hectare conventionally run farm in Brandenburg, can attest to this. In addition to farming and animal husbandry, Tino Ryll produces oil and sells fruit. In an interview, he shared insights into how he deals with the consequences of climate change and how he adapts.

In 2018, Ryll struggled significantly with the drought, which forced him to seek alternative solutions to maintain the family business. He has recognised that proper soil care is key to adapting to current and future climate changes. Ryll explains that by building up humus—the upper layer of soil composed of dead organic matter—the water storage capacity of the soil is improved, allowing water from winter to be available for plants during the summer drought. To promote humus formation, he employs regenerative methods such as catch crops, mulching, and composting.

“Regenerative Agriculture gives me the opportunity to increase the soil's water storage capacity. We chose the regenerative approach because the traditional method of plowing, digging up the soil, and sucking out the water is not effective.” - Tino Ryll

The unique aspect of his farm is that he has his own test field, where he experiments with new agricultural practices, such as working with underseeds and reducing pesticide and fertiliser use. In his field trials, he cultivates 14 to 16 crops, including wheat, rye, and barley, always aiming to evaluate the sustainability of the varieties for his farm. It is encouraging to hear him speak about the effectiveness of these measures: with the new methods, he can increase the humus content while maintaining the same yield and reducing the quantity of fertiliser used. Since the transition in 2018, the humus content has risen by approximately one-third, from 1.16 to as much as 1.8. At the same time, Ryll has been able to cut fertiliser use by 30%. He explains that these measures influence one another, leading to a significant increase in product quality. Moreover, climate-resistant practices ensure a long-term return on investment. He encourages every farmer to take this important step and apply the methods on a small scale: “We have to start because we don't have the time to work the soil for years as we have traditionally done.

Soil health increases the nutritional value of our food

Ryll explains how the health of his soil enhances the quality of his products. Regular soil samples indicate that his methods increase the levels of important micronutrients, such as selenium. This is a significant finding, as a series of studies has shown that the nutrient density of soils has declined overall over the last 50 years. In a notable study, nutrient data from 43 types of fruits and vegetables were compared, revealing that six out of 13 nutrients had decreased by 9 to 38% [6]. Therefore, we can say that it is more challenging for us today to absorb as many nutrients from food as our grandparents could. Soil scientists, such as Christine Jones, have found that soil rich in diverse microbes and functional groups is essential for producing nutrient-rich plants, fruits, and vegetables [7]: “Under biologically healthy conditions, 85 to 90 percent of the nutrient uptake of plants is mediated by microbes, and if today’s crops are less nutrient-rich, practices that damage or kill soil biology are to blame [8]” We should keep in mind that healthy soil ultimately contributes to a healthy human body.

“The bottom line is that we're all in the same boat. Our raw materials are essential for the food industry to sell the finished products made from them. In addition, less food is produced when fewer raw materials are delivered. [...] After all, bottlenecks cost the food industry money every year.” - Tino Ryll

For farmer Tino Ryll, raising awareness of Regenerative Agriculture in the food sector is a crucial first step. Additionally, humus projects can generate funding for CO2 emissions, presenting a significant opportunity for the food industry. By assisting farmers in transitioning to regenerative practices, food companies can enhance the resilience of their value chains to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, Ryll aims to initiate and financially support joint projects so that experimental fields like his can be scaled up.

Klim's financial and advisory support is assisting Ryll in transitioning to regenerative agriculture. By purchasing Klim Carbon Credits, companies can advance their climate goals and incorporate Regenerative Agriculture into their value chains. Farmers like Ryll document their progress, while Klim digitally quantifies and verifies the impact of their carbon storage. This makes supply chains more resilient and fosters loyalty among farmers, ultimately future-proofing the value chain. With our solution, we at Klim aim to leverage the interface between food companies and farmers to expand regenerative agriculture as rapidly and widely as possible.

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

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