The role of restoring degraded soils in ensuring food security in the agro-industrial sector

The study was devoted to the analysis of the state of degraded soils in Ukraine, their impact on agricultural productivity and identification of effective approaches to land restoration to ensure food security. The study used a comprehensive approach, including analysis of scientific and official sources, cartographic assessment of the spatial distribution of degraded land, economic assessment of yield losses using equations, and research on innovative methods of soil restoration, such as biochar, mulching, and microbiological fertilisers. The results were modelled in Excel, which allowed assessing the impact of innovations on the productivity and profitability of farms. The results showed that more than 40% of arable land in Ukraine is in a state of degradation: water erosion affects 25-30% of the area, most of all in the northern and western regions, wind erosion covers 10-15% in the steppe zone, and humus losses are recorded on 35% of the land, especially in the central part. Heavy metal contamination in industrial regions makes some soils unusable. The economic consequences of degradation include a decrease in wheat, corn, and sunflower yields by 20-30%, an increase in fertiliser costs to UAH 1,800 per hectare, and total losses reaching UAH 15 billion annually. Innovative approaches to restoration, such as biochar, mulching, green manure, and microbiological fertilisers, have shown high efficiency, providing an increase in yields by 15-25% in the first five years, reducing the use of chemical fertilisers by 15-30%, and significantly improving the ecological state of the land. The use of biochar in areas of organic matter deficiency allowed increasing humus by up to 12%, while mulching reduced moisture loss by 20%, making irrigation more efficient. Microbiological fertilisers have significantly reduced the level of soil pollution. The results obtained confirm that the introduction of regionally adapted recovery methods helps to reduce degradation processes and stabilise agroecosystems. This creates the basis for ensuring food security in Ukraine. The study also focused on the need to improve monitoring systems for rapid detection of degraded areas and the development of long-term soil resource management strategies