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"Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage" is the theme for this year's World Soil Day on December 5th. The theme emphasizes the critical role of quality-assessed soil data in supporting sustainable soil management, addressing food security, and mitigating climate change. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the need for collective action to protect and restore the planet's soil resources.
Origins of World Soil Day
World Soil Day was first recognized in 2015, following the United Nations' declaration of 2015 as the International Year of Soils. This annual observance aims to raise awareness about soil conservation and sustainable land management. Activities worldwide focus on educating people about the importance of soil in agriculture, food systems, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Soil is a non-renewable resource vital for life on Earth. About 95% of the world’s food depends on healthy soil, which provides nutrients, water, and support for plants. However, alarming statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveal that 33% of the Earth’s soil is degraded due to deforestation, mining, and unsustainable farming. By 2050, this could rise to 90%.
Restoring degraded soils is an urgent global priority. It can take up to 1,000 years to produce just 2-3 cm of soil. This fragile yet vital resource holds immense potential in combating climate change, as it stores more carbon than the atmosphere and all plant and forest biomass combined.
On Soil Day, experts advocate for a shift toward soil-centric agricultural practices to improve soil health and productivity while combating climate change, including:
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Conservation Agriculture: No-till farming, crop rotation, and integration with trees and livestock restore soil nutrients and enhance biodiversity.
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Precision Agriculture: Using digital innovations, robotics, and AI to optimize soil management and reduce chemical use.
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Cover Cropping and Mulching: Protecting soil from erosion and maintaining moisture.
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Agroforestry: Integrating trees into agriculture to improve soil fertility and carbon sequestration.
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Carbon Farming: Practices that restore degraded soils and offset emissions.
India’s soil management
In India, initiatives like Bhoomitra and Krishi-RASTAA are promoting smart soil systems. Farmers are encouraged to adopt direct-seeded rice, eliminate residue burning, and integrate nutrient management techniques, such as combining organic manure with mineral fertilizers. Mechanization for efficient fertilizer placement and reclamation of saline and acidic soils are key strategies to enhance soil health.
Awareness campaigns are central to World Soil Day celebrations. Schools, universities, and NGOs are organizing events to engage youth and promote soil conservation. The FAO has launched campaigns like #WorldSoilDay and "Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future," encouraging activities like composting and soil testing.
Quotes on soil’s importance
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"The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness." – Dalai Lama
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"Soil is not our property; it has come to us as a legacy, and we must pass it on to future generations." – Sadhguru
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"Soil is a living ecosystem, and is a farmer’s most precious asset." – Howard Warren Buffett
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