Research Article

Soil Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Improving Soil Health and Sustainability

Sadiye Kibritci* and Ibrahim Ortas

Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Çukurova University, Turkiye

*Corresponding author e-mail: sckibritci@hotmail.com

(Received: 25/08/2025; Revised: 30/10/2025; Accepted: 10/11/2025; Published: 20/12/2025)

ABSTRACT

The first Living Laboratory (LL) workshop (WS1) was held at Cukurova University in Adana, as part of the European Union-supported SUS-SOIL project. The main aim of the LL WS1 was to raise public awareness of the ecosystem services provided by soil and to promote soil health through agroecological approaches. The event was attended by 56 participants, representing academia (54.4%), farmers (22.8%), the public sector (19.3%), industry (3.5%), and students. The participants were 65% male and 35% female. The surveys were conducted among WS1 participants to assess their awareness of soil health and sustainable agriculture, their user needs, and business models for farmers and landowners. Additionally, a feedback survey gathered participants’ opinions on the effectiveness of the workshop.

Participants ranked soil health-related issues in the following order of importance: erosion, climate change impacts, and declining soil biodiversity. Among the main causes of soil degradation, cultivation was identified as the most significant risk factor, followed by the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land. The most important goals identified by participants included reducing desertification, improving soil structure, and preserving soil organic carbon. Furthermore, participants noted that the Living Soil Laboratory contributed significantly to fostering a culture of information sharing and joint decision-making. In a survey on soil health databases and information platforms, most participants reported being previously unfamiliar with platforms such as EU-Farm Book. Nevertheless, there was a strong interest in using digital platforms. Participants particularly preferred keyword search and filtering techniques for accessing these platforms. Regarding expectations for the Decision Support System (DSS), participants highlighted the need for region-specific fertilization guides, crop rotation strategies, and risk analyses. The greatest challenge noted was interpreting the results. Post-workshop feedback indicated high satisfaction. Ninety per cent of participants found the workshop duration appropriate, 80% considered the content relevant, and 70% rated the organisation as successful. Survey results indicate that farmers and producers are sensitive to soil health and sustainability, and emphasise that in-situ soil conservation is essential for addressing future climate change challenges. 

Keywords: Soil health, sustainability, climate change, human effects, ecological survey