Rattan Lal: FAO must lead a new agricultural revolution rooted in soil health and carbon storage

Soil scientist Rattan Lal argues the FAO needs a new agricultural revolution focused on producing more food with less land, water, and inputs while restoring soil health and storing carbon. He points to the Brazilian Cerrado as proof that science can turn natural constraints into productive farming regions, but warns against copying one model wholesale. The next FAO leadership should build on knowledge exchange between regions like the Americas and Africa. Lal's commentary centers on healthy soils as a link between food security and climate action. He highlights the Living Soils of the Americas initiative as an example of cooperation between scientists, farmers, governments, and the private sector. For carbon market readers, the relevant takeaway is that soil carbon sequestration only works when practices are adapted to local conditions and actually reach farmers.