Module 2

This module discusses different aspects of soil and water systems, and reflects on soil and water sustainability issues for small-scale farming in particular. Certain principles about soil and water systems are common to all farms – such as how nutrient cycles and soil food webs work. Similarly, how water enters the farm and the dynamics of soil moisture follow the same principles everywhere. At the same time, there is a huge variety of soil types and climates around the world. A farmer who lives in a floodplain in Bangladesh needs a different type of management option to one living in dry regions like the Sahel or in the Middle East. While we cannot represent all different situations, this module covers a variety of cases of small-scale farming in different regions for students to develop insights into soil and water sustainability.

Module 2 addresses the question of how soil and water management practices can be improved on farms. How can soil and water management be improved in the wider context of farmers? What kinds of policies can support more sustainable management of land, soil and water?

Through a variety of educational resources, including games and exercises, articles, videos, photos and ideas for field visits, educators can inspire their students to reflect more critically about soil and water sustainability issues around the world as well as in their own region.

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