A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicated that agricultural soil is contaminated by a large number of plastics that may affect human health.

However, FAO emphasized that “further investigation is clearly needed”. Application of plastics in agriculture

The agricultural value chain uses 12.5 million tons of plastic products each year, and another 37.3 million tons are used for food packaging.

According to the report, since there are no viable alternatives, its demand will increase. Industry experts estimate that by 2030, the global demand for greenhouses, mulch films and silage films will increase by 50% to 9.5 million tons.

So far, the largest users are crop production and animal husbandry, which together account for 10.2 million tons/year, while Asia is estimated to account for nearly half of global plastic use.

FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo said: "This report is a resounding call...to promote good management practices and curb the catastrophic use of plastics in the entire agricultural sector."

"This report is a resounding call...to promote good management practices and curb the catastrophic use of plastics by the entire agricultural sector."

The widespread use of plastics in agriculture helps to increase productivity, including through the use of: mulch to reduce weed growth; tunnels and greenhouse films and nets to protect and promote plant growth, extend crop seasons and increase yields; fertilizers, pesticides And the coating on the seeds to control the release rate of chemicals or promote germination.

In addition, plastic products help food maintain its nutritional quality, thereby improving food safety and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Although they can increase the productivity and efficiency of all agricultural sectors and help minimize food loss and waste, plastics are the main source of pollution,” Semedo added. Pollution risk

Sorting and recycling of plastics is difficult because polymers are materials composed of very large molecules, and additives are mixed into the plastics. Only a few microorganisms can degrade in this way, which means they may divide and remain in the environment for decades. advertise

According to the report, as of 2015, nearly 80% of the estimated 6.3 billion tons of plastic produced had not been properly handled.

Extensive, long-term use of plastics and lack of systematic collection and sustainable management have led to accumulation in the soil, which is estimated to contain more microplastics (plastics less than 5 mm in size) than the ocean.

Since 93% of global agricultural activities occur on land, soil is likely to be the main recipient of damaged, degraded or discarded agricultural plastics.

Microplastics are considered to pose specific risks to animal health, but recent studies have detected microplastic particles in human feces and placenta.

According to the FAO report, microplastics derived from agricultural plastic products are receiving increasing attention because they may have adverse effects on human health. Solution and further investigation

The FAO report outlines several solutions based on the 6R model, including six methods: rejection; redesign; reduction; reuse; recycling; and restoration.

Agricultural plastic products identified as having high environmental hazard potential include non-biodegradable polymer-coated fertilizers and mulch films.

As an alternative to film, FAO recommends the use of biodegradable films, organic materials or cover crops to avoid covering with plastics. "There is an urgent need to better monitor the amount of plastic used and the amount of plastic leaking from agriculture into the environment," FAO warned.

"There is an urgent need to better monitor the amount of plastic used and the amount of plastic leaking from agriculture into the environment," FAO warned.

"Although there are gaps in the data, they should not be used as an excuse for inaction," the organization said. Also read: Anaerobic Digestion: Need for Policy and Financial Support for Environmental Farm Plastic Pollution

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