World Soil Day 2024 Theme Caring for Soils: Measure Monitor Manage
04 Dec, 2024
The theme of World Soil Day – 2024 highlights the importance of having reliable and consistent soil data to better understand soil properties. This helps make informed decisions for managing soil in a way that supports food security and addresses climate change. In a broader sense, it also contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
History of World Soil Day
In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences proposed December 5 as World Soil Day, coinciding with the birthday of Thailand's King H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej, a key supporter of the initiative. The FAO, under the leadership of Thailand, backed the establishment of World Soil Day to raise global awareness through the Global Soil Partnership. In June 2013, the FAO Council approved the day, and it was formally adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 68th session in December 2013. The first official World Soil Day was celebrated on December 5, 2014.
The World Soil Day seeks global awareness about the crucial role soil plays in food production and sustainability, urging proper soil management and care to support the growing population.
Importance of World Soil Day celebration
Despite efforts to raise awareness about the importance of soil, little has been done to protect it. Soil is often overlooked and treated as a lesser resource, with both people and governments neglecting its care. Unlike other natural resources, soil degradation is a gradual process that isn't always visible to the untrained eye. However, over time, this slow damage can lead to severe consequences, including the loss of large areas of land.
Ways of Soil Conservations: -
- Afforestation
- Crop Rotation
- Conservation Tillage
- No / Zero Tillage Farming
- Cover Crops
- Strip Cropping
- Stop Soil Erosion
- Stop Crop Residue Burning
- Judicious use of Chemical Fertilizers
- Judicious use of irrigation Water
- Increase Use of Organic Fertilizers (FYM, Vermicompost and Urban Compost, PSB, KMB)
- Use of Fertilizers After Soil / Plant Nutrient Analysis.
