Medicine brings healing to the body, so is holistic soil nutrition to the ecosystems and by extension, human health. The soil is a fundamental natural resource that sustains the ecosystem and plays a critical role in supporting the health of humans, plants and animals. Health is fundamentally linked to essential environmental factors: breathable air, potable water, nutritious food, and shelter, all of these originate from soil. Soil performs critical ecosystem functions, including atmospheric gas exchange that sustains oxygen-producing flora, hydrological filtration and storage, nutrient cycling for agricultural production, and provision of raw materials for construction purposes.

Health encompasses both physiological and psychological dimensions. Access to natural environments for recreation offers cognitive respite from occupational demands while promoting physical activity. Soil also sustains the terrestrial environments and performs water purification functions by naturally filtering surface and groundwater resources that ultimately supply both recreational waterways and potable water sources. The soil serves as the biological foundation for numerous medicinal plants that yield clinically significant pharmacologic compounds.

Soil serves as a critical environmental regulator, maintaining the equilibrium necessary to sustain current habitable conditions. Through biogeochemical processes, it remediates contaminants by breaking down spilled chemicals and preventing their migration into atmospheric and aquatic systems. Its capacity for thermal buffering and hydrological retention mediates climatic fluctuations between weather systems. The soil microbiome, in addition to the physical and chemical characteristics maintain ecological balance through competitive interactions, and enable effective pollutant filtration. Soil also serve as a reservoir for storing carbon, mitigating climate change.

The soil is also an ecosystem full of microorganisms, organic matter and essential nutrients. Dr. Elaine Ingham, a soil microbiologist and founder of Soil Food Web School in her bid to describe wealth of a soil stated that “A teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on Earth. These microbes are the unseen workforce that transforms minerals and organic matter into bioavailable nutrients for plants and ultimately, for us.” Soil produces nutrient-dense crops that contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which in turn support human health and immunity. Healthy crops are rich sources of polyphenols (flavanoids), vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and sugars. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites that are mainly derived from various plant metabolism pathways like the pentose phosphate, phenyl propanoid and shikimic acid pathway. All these are important for the morphological and physiological components of the human diet to enhance their antioxidant properties. They also contain high proportion of antimicrobial, antioxidant, immune modulating, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cardio protective and vasodilatory properties were found to be contained in vegetables grown on fertile soil.

Soil’s multidimensional role in sustaining plant, animal, and human health elevates it beyond a mere growing medium, it is, in essence, medicine for the entire ecosystem. This medicinal capacity of the soil is a function of a healthy soil not a degraded soil. A healthy soil is sustained on holistic soil nutrition, which revives degraded ecosystems and heals human health. As Gabe Brown, a regenerative farmer and author of Dirt to Soil, asserts: Soil health dictates food health and ultimately, human health. Regenerating degraded land isn’t just about crop productivity; it’s a preventative measure against disease.

Holistic soil nutrition transcends agricultural importance, emerging as a critical public health priority. By restoring soil health, we harness its therapeutic potential, not only for ecosystems but for human well-being. Holistic soil nutrition represents a paradigm shift from conventional fertiliser application which targets addressing specific nutrient deficiencies, to a system-based approach that treats soil as a living and dynamic ecosystem. This strategy prioritizes balanced nutrition, biodiversity, and regenerative care. Practices like agroecology, organic farming, conservation agriculture and forestation are sustainable management essential for a healthy soil.  

• Agroecology applies ecological principles to agricultural management, harmonizing productivity with resource conservation. By integrating traditional knowledge and modern science, it addresses interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment. This multidimensional approach fosters resilient food systems, ecologically, economically, and socially.
• Organic agriculture represents a holistic production system that maintains and enhances the health of soils, ecosystems, and biodiversity while supporting human well-being. This approach explicitly excludes the use of synthetic inputs. By integrating traditional knowledge with innovative scientific practices and technologies, organic agriculture promotes environmental sustainability while fostering equitable social relationships and improved quality of life for all stakeholders. The system’s fundamental objectives operate under four core principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. Organic farming can therefore be understood as one of the elements encompassed by the holistic approach of Agroecology, with the additional requirement of its production adhering to certain standards

• Conservation Agriculture is built on three principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and diverse crop rotations. conservation agriculture combats degradation while boosting yields. By reducing tillage, it preserves soil structure, curbs organic matter loss, and allows microbial ecosystems to thrive. Furthermore, zero tillage is an aspect of conservation agriculture where there is continuous organic cover, shielding soil from erosion and extreme weather. Microbial and faunal activity replace mechanical tillage, naturally aerating and balancing nutrients.
• Forestation applies the principles of agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation to mitigate flooding, store water, sequester carbon and prevent erosion. Trees enhance soil stability, while their litter feeds soil life, benefiting adjacent crops and pastures.

The core principles on which these practices focus on optimizes: biological health, physical structure, chemical balance, organic matter and humus content. Ultimately, holistic soil nutrition transcends agronomy; it’s an investment in food quality, ecosystem stability, and human health.

Restoring the health of our soil isn’t just the responsibility of farmers, it is a communal effort of all stakeholders in the society. First, awareness can be created for the society to recognize the irreplaceable role of the soil in human health and that of the ecosystem. This can be achieved through sensitization and capacity building. Furthermore, policies can be created to support education and incentives for soil health. Communities can create local hubs that promote healthy food systems. Prescribing holistic soil nutrition is not optional, is not a luxury; it is a necessity and the only regimen to reverse the ‘diseases’ of erosion, malnutrition, and climate instability.

Author: UTIBEABASI BROWNSON

Utibeabasi is passionate about bridging the gap between scientific research and practical agricultural solutions to advance food security, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. With a PhD in Agriculture (Soil Science) and a decade of hands-on experience, she specializes in Soil fertility evaluation, agroecology, knowledge transfer through training, capacity development and data-driven value chain analysis.