Zenon Porfidio Gomel APAZA

Issue / The Depletion of Soil Fertility

The revolutionary changes in farming methods that have occurred over the last century or two have made it possible to increase both harvest size and farmers’ profits. Unfortunately, these same methods also bring their share of problems. The way new land is cleared and the use of pesticides, mechanization and monoculture practices have led to serious problems of soil nutrient depletion.

In Peru, many regions have been affected by the side-effects of the “Green Revolution”: severely altered landscapes, infertile soils and subsequent widespread poverty. The unpredictable weather of this region of South America made monoculture — planting a single variety over a large area — a risky bet for farmers, who could lose their entire crop in a single weather event and be unable to feed their families.