Dr. Banarsi Lal
World Soil Day, observed internationally every year on December 5th, emphasizes the critical role soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. The theme for 2024 is “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, and Manage,” which highlights the necessity for precise soil data to enhance understanding of soil characteristics and promote informed decision-making in sustainable soil management and food security. The day’s mission is to raise awareness about maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by tackling challenges in soil management, enhancing soil literacy, and advocating for improved soil health.
This observance encourages global awareness of sustainable soil health management and aims to empower farmers with knowledge to produce quality and safe food. It seeks to connect individuals with the importance of soil in our daily lives. In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences designated December 5th as World Soil Day to celebrate the essential role of soil, a fundamental aspect of our natural systems and vital for human well-being. The first celebration occurred on December 5, 2012, coinciding with the birthday of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who officially endorsed the event.
With over 95% of our food derived from soil, its health is intrinsically linked to the survival of humanity and the planet. Soil serves as a habitat for diverse organisms and provides essential ecosystem services, including water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. Currently, soil faces immense pressure from a rapidly growing population and increased food demands. Factors like deforestation, poor agricultural practices, and soil pollution have led to significant degradation, with approximately 33% of global soils affected.
Healthy soils are crucial for biodiversity maintenance, erosion reduction, pollution control, improved water filtration, and the development of resilient food systems. Furthermore, they play a vital role in climate action through carbon storage. Soil is foundational for food, fuel, feed, and fiber production, as well as various ecosystem services. It is Earth’s upper layer familiar to all, a finite and non-renewable resource. Despite its essential contributions to livelihoods, global soil degradation persists due to inappropriate management, population pressures, and inadequate governance.
The nutritional content of our food is directly linked to soil health. Soils high in organic carbon enhance rainfall absorption and retention, providing resilience against droughts. They are essential for food production, biodiversity, and energy sustainability. While soils are vulnerable to carbon loss through degradation, regenerative land management practices can effectively restore their health.
Soils consist of organic matter, clay, and rock particles that accumulate on the Earth’s surface. Unfortunately, poor agricultural methods, deforestation, and pollution continue to compromise soil health. There is an urgent need to raise awareness among farmers regarding soil vitality, complemented by technical and scientific guidance. Healthy soil functions as a living ecosystem where dead organic matter forms the foundation of a food web, hosting microscopic and larger organisms.
Soils provide the nutrients and water crucial for plant growth and harbor organisms that engage with plants. Healthy soils are vital for producing nutritious food and achieving zero hunger. Adopting sustainable land management practices has become increasingly important. It takes nature over 500 years to generate just 2 centimeters of topsoil. Soils store about 10% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, influencing climate dynamics.
Microbial activity governs soil chemistry, with living organisms regulating water infiltration, mineral density, and nutrient cycling. Fungi and bacteria break down organic matter, while earthworms contribute to nutrient recycling, enriching the upper soil layer. Remarkably, a handful of fertile soil contains more individual organisms than there are humans who have ever existed.
Despite the indispensable role of soil in human livelihoods, widespread degradation persists due to unsustainable management and increased population pressures. Enhancing soil carbon levels builds a valuable reservoir that helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and bolsters resilience against floods and droughts, ultimately contributing to soil fertility and the foundation of terrestrial and agricultural ecosystems essential for global food security.
Environmental concerns such as drought, soil erosion, desertification, and deforestation have forced over 10 million people to leave their homes. Notably, many known antibiotics, including penicillin, were derived from soil bacteria. Soil pollution diminishes food security by lowering crop yield and quality. With soil holding three times more carbon than the atmosphere, it plays a pivotal role in combating climate change. Currently, around 815 million people face food insecurity and 2 billion experience nutritional insecurity, issues that can be addressed through improved soil management.
While approximately 95% of our food comes from soil, about 33% of soils are already in a degraded state. Soil acts as a natural filter for contaminants, but its buffering capacity is limited. Once this threshold is breached, contaminants can seep into the environment and enter the food chain. The government has initiated various programs aimed at benefitting farmers and strengthening agricultural practices.
On February 19, 2015, the Prime Minister of India launched the Soil Health Card Scheme, starting from Suratgarh, Rajasthan. This national initiative involves soil samples taken by experts and analyzed in health laboratories. The subsequent soil health cards inform farmers about their soil’s nutrient composition and deficiencies. Based on these findings, farmers can appropriately amend their soil, which not only helps maintain soil health but also reduces cultivation costs and identifies optimal crops for their fields.
Soil conservation programs, organized by both the government and NGOs, aim to preserve soil integrity, manage erosion, and maintain sediment processes. Restoring soil fertility is essential for achieving satisfactory and prompt returns on investments. Most soil conservation efforts prioritize addressing soil degradation rather than adopting a comprehensive approach for promoting sustainable practices. Therefore, there’s a pressing need for initiatives that focus on fostering healthy soils, as they hold the keys to resolving numerous agricultural and environmental challenges.
The writer is Dr. Banarsi Lal, Chief Scientist & Head of KVK, Reasi (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu) (SKUAST-J).
