What we eat affects our health – that much is obvious. However, not all of us realise that soil is a key element of a healthy diet. Healthy soil is the foundation of agriculture and of the entire food chain. Unfortunately, current farming methods are increasingly depleting it, which leads to the phenomenon known as “nutrient decline” – a fall in the nutritional value of food. Research shows that the fruit and vegetables produced today contain fewer vitamins and minerals than those grown several decades ago.
The nutrient content of agricultural products depends on how the soil is cared for. Monocultures, intensive use of chemicals and deep ploughing destroy the soil’s natural ecosystem and, as a result, reduce the nutritional value of crops. Healthy soil means diverse microorganisms, rich organic matter and a natural ability to retain water. It is the foundation of healthy food.
Farmers face many problems that have a direct impact on food quality and food security.
Erosion, declining humus content and pollution are huge challenges for farmers. In Poland, 58.2% of soils are acidic or very acidic, which has a negative impact on yields. In Europe, soil degradation costs economies EUR 50 billion a year.
Poland has some of the lowest water resources in Europe – just 1,600 m³ per person per year, compared with a European average of 4,500 m³. In the face of climate change and increasingly frequent droughts, it is essential to implement practices that retain water in the soil.
The costs of fertilisers, fuel and plant protection products are rising, while purchase prices often fail to cover production costs. Many farmers are struggling financially, which makes it necessary to look for more sustainable and profitable farming methods.
Global political tensions and climate change are making food supplies unstable. Poland, like the European Union as a whole, should focus on increasing local production and diversifying its sources of supply.
Agriculture affects public health in ways that are often underestimated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in Europe as many as 90% of all deaths are caused by chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, which are linked to a diet based on processed food of low nutritional value. In addition, a European Commission report states that 70% to 80% of all healthcare costs in the European Union, or around EUR 700 billion a year, are spent on treating chronic diseases.
The situation in Poland is also worrying. According to a 2021 study by Servier, published in the report “Kapitał zdrowia – wspólna wartość” (Health capital – a shared value), 56% of Poles suffer or have suffered from at least one lifestyle disease, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes or depression. Moreover, according to data from the National Health Fund (NFZ), three in five Polish adults are overweight and one in four is obese, and the problem also affects children – almost one in three 8-year-olds in Poland is overweight or obese.
One of the causes of this situation is a poor-quality diet and increasingly processed food that lacks key micronutrients. Studies show that the vitamin C, iron and calcium content of fruit and vegetables has fallen by 20–30% compared with produce grown several decades ago. Research has also found a 23% drop in the protein content of wheat.
Meanwhile, regenerative agriculture can play a key role in improving food quality and human health. Crops grown using regenerative methods contain more vitamins and minerals, and meat from regenerative farms has a higher omega-3 fatty acid content and a better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than conventional meat. Healthy soil, rich in microorganisms and organic matter, supplies plants with more nutrients, which improves their nutritional value. Products from regenerative farms may have a higher content of antioxidants and micronutrients, which also translates into better health for all of us.
Improving food quality and public health requires a multi-level approach:
Regenerative agriculture is becoming an answer to the key problems facing Polish and European agriculture. Practices such as minimum tillage, cover crops, crop rotation and agroforestry improve soil health and increase water retention. In addition, by introducing rotational grazing and reducing the use of chemicals, the nutritional value of crops and animal products can be significantly improved.
What are the benefits for farmers?
Regenerative agriculture is not only an opportunity for better yields, but above all a path to protecting the environment and the health of us all. Investing in soil regeneration, using natural farming methods and supporting local production systems are actions that bring benefits on many levels – economic, environmental and health. Every farmer who makes informed decisions helps build a more sustainable and secure food system, which is crucial in the face of the global challenges we have to deal with.
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