Soil management

Soilless agriculture is a modern technology created to enable growing crops in an environment where traditional technologies are median. Several techniques stem from soilless agriculture e.g. hydroponics and aquaponics. Limited water resources, variations of precipitation and frequent droughts are typical challenges for arid areas. Hydroponics offer solutions to rationalize water consumption in arid to semi-arid areas particularly when agriculture is a main activity in those areas.

This publication is the proceedings for a satellite event on Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, held on the occasion of the Ninth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, in FAO, Rome, 12-13 October 2002. An informal presentation of the Satellite Event’s discussions and results was given on 16 October 2002. About 100 participants attended the day and a half event.

Dirt, soil, call it what you want--it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter.