Soil
This module is all about soil, how it is formed, how it is lost, and how to look after it.
Without soil, nothing would exist. No plants or trees would grow, and we would have nothing to eat. The soil is like the human body. In order to be healthy, it needs food, water, shelter and rest. Plants grow by taking the nutrients and minerals they need from the soil. We get the nutrients and minerals we need from eating those plants. Soil is essential to life, but each year Africa loses thousands of millions of wheelbarrow loads of soil to erosion. Without shelter, harsh sunlight bakes the soil, and torrential rains wash it away. We need to find ways look after it, and fortunately, there are many things people can do to help soil restore and keep its fertility. Even the smallest child can play a part in looking after the crucial resource underneath our feet.
Soil – Videos
SOIL DOWNLOADS
Download Africa our Home Topics
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Soil introduction
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How the soil is made
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The wonder underfoot
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Erosion alert
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Nurture the soil as you would a human being
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Feeding the soil
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Sheltering the soil
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Conservation farming
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Water is scarce and precious
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Monoculture, versus Crop diversity
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Look after the (soil) creatures who look after you
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We can work together, for our soil
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Activities
Download Action Sheets
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Conservation Farming
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Practical Composting
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Making Tea for Plants
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Natural Pest and Disease Control
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Mulching
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Agroforestry
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Planting Nitrogen Fixing Trees
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Planting Fodder Banks for Livestock
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Growing Fruit and Nut Trees
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Green Manure/Cover Crops for Biomass Transfer
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Living Fences
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Windbreaks
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Saving Soil and Water on Sloping Land
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Drip Irrigation
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Buried Clay Pot Irrigation
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Rainwater Harvesting For Crops
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Setting up a Community Seed Bank
Soil – Full Index of Resources
Topic Content
- Soil introduction
- How the soil is made
- The wonder underfoot
- Erosion alert
- Nurture the soil as you would a human being
- Feeding the soil
- Sheltering the soil
- Conservation farming
- Water is scarce and precious
- Monoculture, versus Crop diversity
- Look after the (soil) creatures who look after you
- We can work together, for our soil
- Activities
Action Sheets
- Conservation Farming
- Practical Composting
- Making Tea for Plants
- Natural Pest and Disease Control
- Mulching
- Agroforestry
- Planting Nitrogen Fixing Trees
- Planting Fodder Banks for Livestock
- Growing Fruit and Nut Trees
- Green Manure/Cover Crops for Biomass Transfer
- Living Fences
- Windbreaks
- Saving Soil and Water on Sloping Land
- Drip Irrigation
- Buried Clay Pot Irrigation
- Rainwater Harvesting For Crops
- Setting up a Community Seed Bank