To celebrate World Soil Day 2025, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand, in collaboration with East-West Seed hosted a seminar that brought together farmers, researchers, government agencies, private-sector partners, and young people who share a common understanding: the future of our food system begins beneath our feet.
Soil as the foundation of sustainable food systems
Soil, although often overlooked, is the foundation of everything we eat. When soil is healthy, crops thrive, farmers become more resilient, and communities enjoy secure, nutritious food. When soil is degraded, the entire food chain from seed to harvest to plate becomes vulnerable.
The seminar emphasized this simple but powerful truth that sustainable food requires sustainable soil. Thailand has long recognized this principle. The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej pioneered practical soil rehabilitation techniques such as the Vetiver System, while Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, championed conservation efforts that strengthened rural livelihoods. Their legacy continues to guide Thailand’s understanding of soil as a national asset that must be protected.
For the Netherlands, soil stewardship is woven into its identity as a global agricultural leader. With limited land but high production capacity, the Netherlands has consistently invested in regenerative agriculture, biodiversity enhancement, and nature-based solutions. This shared Thai–Dutch commitment made the seminar a meaningful platform for learning and cooperation.
Nature Inclusive Agriculture
The keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Kromann of Wageningen University & Research, delivered an engaging presentation titled “Nature Inclusive Agriculture: A Concept Toward Better Sustainable Agriculture.” He highlighted that modern agriculture faces intense pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation—six of the nine planetary boundaries have already been exceeded. Dr. Kromann explained that Nature Inclusive Agriculture offers a pathway to produce more with less by using three interconnected pillars: saving resources such as fertilizers and pesticides; utilizing natural ecosystem functions like soil biology, pollination, and water regulation; and enriching farms through plant diversity, soil life, and the conservation of beneficial organisms. His message underscored that healthy soil is a living ecosystem and that healthy soil leads to healthy crops, which ultimately leads to healthy people.
Panel discussion
Complementing the keynote, a diverse panel of experts illustrated how soil health principles can be put into action in Thailand. Khun Yuttana Khaehanchanpong from the Department of Agriculture shared national efforts to support farmers in improving soil fertility and adopting sustainable practices. Khun Pongpoonat Rungrueng, a farmer and owner of RKR Farmstay, offered an inspiring personal story of transforming his saline, unproductive land into fertile ground through organic matter, patience, and regenerative techniques—proving that degraded soil can indeed be healed. Dr. Flip van Koesveld from Wageningen University & Research reinforced the scientific evidence behind plant–soil interactions, showing how crop diversity improves microbial life and field resilience. Mr. Jeroen Baas from East-West Seed Thailand explained how soil health directly influences farmer success.
Knowledge exchange
Their combined perspectives painted a clear picture: protecting soil is not only possible, but practical, affordable, and urgently needed. Small actions such as adding organic matter, reducing tillage, keeping soil covered, and rotating crops can significantly improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. These changes help farmers reduce input costs while increasing productivity, making sustainability a benefit rather than a burden.
The seminar also created a space for genuine knowledge exchange. Participants shared their challenges and solutions, demonstrating that soil health is not the responsibility of one group but of everyone who depends on food. The interaction between Thai practitioners and Dutch experts reflected a joint commitment to innovation and long-term resilience.
By the end of the seminar, one message stood strong: the path to sustainable agriculture begins with caring for the soil. Soil is not an unlimited resource; it takes thousands of years to form but can be lost in only a few seasons. With climate change intensifying droughts, floods, and land degradation, soil health becomes even more essential to protecting yields and ensuring food security.