Nature-based solutions of soil management and agriculture

Effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBSs) has received considerable attention at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), which concluded in September of 2021, and COP26 of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow in November of 2021. However, research information about on-the-ground application of NBSs is scanty. There are several social, economic, institutional, and policy barriers to widespread adoption of approaches and strategies to NBSs. Poor institutional readiness and lack of mechanisms to reward farmers/land managers through payments for strengthening ecosystem services (ESs) are among critical issues that need to be addressed. Translation of science into on-the-ground action necessitates close cooperation of researchers and extension staff on one side, with the private sector, policy makers, and land managers on other. Farmers and ranchers must be rewarded for provisioning of key ESs strengthened through the adoption of NBSs, such as for sequestering carbon (C) in soil and vegetation, improving renewability and quality of water resources, strengthening of biodiversity, and adopting nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.