Soil biodiversity is key to global food security, we need to protect our soils

New Delhi, 05 Dec 2023 || ANN

While United Nations, on World Soil Day 2023 (WSD) aims to raise awareness of the importance and relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, the Soil Association from UK wrote on X, “This world soil day, we are sending SOS – Save Our Soil. Because tomorrow is too late.”

FAO said, “Soil biodiversity is key to global food security, we need to protect our soils”!

UN said, “Our planet’s survival depends on the precious link between soil and water. Over 95 percent of our food originates from these two fundamental resources. Soil water, vital for nutrient absorption by plants, binds our ecosystems together. This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems.”

“Soil forms, stores, transforms & recycles nutrients, all of which helps support the production of 95% of the food we eat. Protecting it is key to maintaining the health of people, animals & the environment”, added the UN.

Citing concern about climate change and human activity, UN said, “our soils are being degraded, putting excessive pressure on our water resources.”

“Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for all forms of life,” it added.

The information also focussed on sustainable soil management practices.

It said practices such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping, improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and enhance water infiltration and storage.

Soil Association further wrote, “Soil is the heart and soul of our planet, and we couldn’t live without it. It’s time we all stopped thinking of it as dirt,” it added.

It further said, “Healthy soil produces almost all of our food. Not only that – it’s one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change – combatting flooding and drought, and locking up carbon.”
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