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December 05, 2024 10:43
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Celebrate World Soil Day 2024 on December 5! Protect our soils, the source of 95% of our food. Join the movement for a healthier planet this World Soil Day 2024!
World Soil Day is an international observance that is held every year on December 5, while highlighting the critical importance of soil for life on Earth. With over 95% of our food originating from the soil, the health of this resource is directly tied to the survival of humanity and the planet. World Soil Day 2024, under the theme Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage, emphasises the role of accurate soil data and sustainable practices in ensuring food security, combating climate change, and promoting resilient ecosystems.
World Soil Day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to highlight the importance of soil health. It is celebrated every year to focus on the sustainable management of soil resources. This event was established under the guidance of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
| World Soil Day 2024 Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Event Name | World Soil Day 2024 |
| Date | December 5, 2024 |
| Theme | Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage |
| Established By | International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) |
| Official Recognition | Endorsed by FAO in 2013, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2013 |
| Purpose | To raise awareness about the importance of healthy soils and advocate for sustainable management practices |
| Significance | Highlights soil’s role in food security, climate action, and environmental resilience |
| Key Activities | Campaigns, educational events, workshops, and advocacy for sustainable soil management |
| Global Observance | Celebrated worldwide by governments, organisations, and communities |
The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) presented the concept of World Soil Day in 2002, which was officially endorsed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2013. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted it in December 2013, choosing December 5 to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a key supporter of this initiative.
The World Soil Day 2024 theme for this year is Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage, highlights the need for accurate soil data to guide sustainable management practices. Monitoring soil characteristics helps:
This year’s theme strengthens the interconnectedness between soil health, food security, and environmental resilience.
Soil is a crucial natural resource that supports agriculture, biodiversity, and water purification. However, increasing threats like erosion, deforestation, and industrial activities have led to significant soil degradation. Here’s why World Soil Day 2024 is celebrated:
Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust, composed of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It serves as the foundation for plant growth and is essential for supporting life on the planet.
Soil forms over thousands of years through the weathering of rocks and the decomposition of organic materials. It is classified into various types based on texture, colour, and composition.
Soil contains 15 of the 18 naturally occurring elements essential for plants, which makes it a cornerstone of agriculture and food security. These include primary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and secondary nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
India’s diverse geography and climatic conditions produce various types of soil, each of them having unique properties and suitability for specific crops. Understanding these soil types is necessary for optimising agricultural practices and ensuring food security in India. Here’s an overview:
| Types of Soil Found in India | |||
| Type of Soil | Characteristics | Regions Found | Crops Grown |
| Alluvial Soil | Fertile, rich in nutrients, loamy | Indo-Gangetic Plains | Wheat, rice, sugarcane |
| Black Soil | Retains moisture, rich in lime | Deccan Plateau | Cotton, sorghum, millet |
| Red Soil | Sandy, rich in iron | Eastern and Southern India | Groundnuts, pulses, millet |
| Laterite Soil | Acidic, poor in fertility | Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats | Cashew, tea, coffee |
| Desert Soil | Sandy, low in organic matter | Rajasthan, Gujarat | Millets, barley |
| Mountain Soil | Rich in organic matter | Himalayan Region | Tea, apples, cardamom |
Source: mapsofindia.com
Primary nutrients are often added to soil in the form of fertilizers to ensure optimum agricultural yield. The three primary nutrients essential for plant growth are:
Secondary nutrients are present in smaller amounts but are vital for balanced soil nutrition. Apart from the primary nutrients, secondary nutrients are equally crucial for soil health:
Soils face significant threats from degradation, pollution, and unsustainable practices. These challenges reduce soil fertility, disrupt ecosystems, and threaten global food security, which all make immediate intervention a necessity.
| According to the New Delhi-based National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the annual soil loss rate in our country is about 15.35 tonnes per ha, resulting in a loss of 5.37 to 8.4 million tonnes of nutrients. |
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India faces many challenges in soil conservation due to deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable farming. To combat these issues, the government and various organizations have implemented several strategies:
As individuals, we can take small yet impactful steps toward soil conservation, on World Soil Day 2024:
World Soil Day serves as a reminder of the indispensable role soil plays in sustaining life. As the global population grows, protecting and restoring soil health has never been more critical. By understanding what is soil, the types of soil in India, and the importance of nutrients, we can take steps to ensure a sustainable future.
This World Soil Day 2024, let us pledge to work towards healthier soils for a healthier planet. Together, we can build awareness and take action to preserve this vital resource for generations to come.
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