Soil security: The cornerstone of national security in an era of global disruptions

Abstract

Food security is inherently linked to national security, as access to adequate and reliable food supplies is critical to social stability and economic prosperity. The current food production system and agricultural policies rely heavily on international supply chains, creating instead a dependence on external sources for food security, while internal sources have been declining for years due to territorial food specialization and monocrops. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, global supply chains have experienced unprecedented disruptions due to a combination of factors. The lack of strategic planning to ensure food security continuity in the midst of the geopolitical landscape, supply chain disruption, and soil security overlooked, significantly increase the risk of food and agricultural input shortages, price volatility, and labor disruptions affecting both industrialized and developing countries. In addition, misunderstanding, undervaluation, and underestimation of securing soil among stakeholders, policymakers and legislation are significant factors that exacerbate the problem. As a result, threats to the supply chain compromise the pillars of food security in ways that affect countries unequally, potentially leading to social instability and threatening national and international security. By treating soil as the cornerstone of national security, countries can develop coherent soil policies and strategies. This approach could lead to the development of coordinated decisions and the implementation of a global agenda for sustainable agricultural practices, improve food security, and ensure long-term stability and resilience.

This article aims to examine how securing soil emerges as a pivotal strategy for ensuring food security and fostering national and international security during times of disruption.