A new paradigm for plant nutrition

The goal is to transition towards a sustainable global food system that considers the hidden costs associated with food production. Responsible plant nutrition aims at enhancing productivity, reducing nutrient losses and emissions, ensuring soil health, promoting waste recycling, and improving human nutrition and health. To create a sustainable food system for the future, we need to integrate science, technology, and cooperation among stakeholders.

The Current Landscape

Mineral fertilizers are critical in feeding the rapidly growing global population. However, fertilizer applications have also led to global nutrient imbalances, significant nutrient losses, and environmental impacts.

To overcome these challenges, a transition to a more sustainable global food system is necessary. This approach involves managing nutrients throughout their entire life cycle and finding the right balance between food production and environmental protection.

In this Issue Brief, we outline that the path to responsible plant nutrition is marked by several critical challenges that need to be addressed within the next 20 years:

• How can we decouple global growth in crop production from growth in fertilizer consumption?
• What measures can we take to increase crop yields in Africa and achieve food security while addressing nutrient deficits?
• How can we reduce nutrient losses and waste along the agri-food chain to enhance nutrient use efficiency and minimize environmental impacts?
• How should we manage crop nutrition in changing climates to maintain high productivity?
• What are the options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that originate from fertilizers?
• How can cropping systems deliver high-quality, nutritious food to improve human nutrition?
• What innovations and policies will accelerate nutrient management by farmers?

A Path Towards Responsible Plant Nutrition

To achieve responsible plant nutrition, we suggest that stakeholders develop strategies to minimize trade-offs between productivity and the environment. This approach is only possible with agroecological principles, science-backed solutions and collaborations among various stakeholders. Together, we can drive the necessary changes in the global food system:

• Policy Makers: Create clear, science-based, and sustainable regulatory frameworks and incentives that balance food production and environmental goals.
• Global Fertilizer Industry: Provide integrated plant nutrition solutions focusing on beneficial composition rather than solely increasing fertilizer volume.
• Farmers, Advisors, and Service Providers: Take responsibility for improving nutrient use efficiency, reducing nutrient losses, recycling nutrients, and promoting soil health.
• Food Traders, Processors, and Retailers: Impact nutrient cycles by sustainably producing foods and offering informed consumption choices.
• Consumers: Adopt healthier diets and support sustainable food production by reducing and recycling waste.
• Utility Service Providers and Waste Processors: Co-define sustainable farming and nutrient management practices with their needs and actions.
• Investors: Support sustainable plant nutrition solutions through increased funding and investments.
• Scientists: Accelerate research and innovation to implement new ideas and practices.
• Civil Society Organizations: Inform, mobilize, monitor, and disseminate new technologies and practices.

What a sustainable global food system looks like

Based on the above-outlined actions, we envision a future following these transformations:

• The growth of global crop yield exceeds the consumption of mineral fertilizers, thus meeting the demands of food, feed, and bio-industry.
• Nutrient waste along the food system is halved through responsible consumption, increased recycling, and better management practices.
• Soil nutrient depletion and carbon loss have been halted, thus improving soil health and organic matter.
• Extreme forms of hunger and nutrient-related malnutrition are eliminated thanks to enriched fertilizers and nutrient-biofortified crops.
• Energy-efficient practices reduce greenhouse gas emissions from producing and using fertilizers.
• Consumers appreciate the benefits of plant nutrients, encouraging a sustainable and nature-positive food system.
• Farmers worldwide have access to affordable and appropriate plant nutrition solutions, increasing their prosperity.

A new paradigm for plant nutrition

Responsible plant nutrition calls for global collaboration together with long-term sustainability thinking. With this Issue Brief, we are proposing to embrace a holistic approach, integrating cutting-edge technology and addressing socioeconomic and environmental objectives.

Only with a holistic food production approach will we be able to build a global food system that nourishes the world sustainably. That’s why we ask stakeholders to unite to implement these solutions for food security, environmental conservation, and societal well-being.