Photo: Kelvn/Adobe Stock

ON SOURCE: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

WORLD SOIL DAY - 5TH DECEMBER 2024

Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage

Our planet’s survival depends on the precious link with soil. Over 95 percent of our food comes from soils. Besides, they supply 15 of the 18 naturally occurring chemical elements essential to plants.

However, in the face of climate change and human activity, our soils are being degraded. Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for all forms of life, and decreasing the level of vitamins and nutrients in food.

Sustainable soil management 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. These practices also preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change.

World Soil Day 2024 (WSD) campaign, under the theme Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manageunderscores the importance of accurate soil data and information in understanding soils characteristics and supporting informed decision-making on sustainable soil management for food security.

Background of a decade celebrating soils

World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.

Did you know?

• It can take up to 1 000 years to produce just 2-3 cm of soil.
• Up to 58% more food could be produced through sustainable soil management.
• Agricultural production will have to increase by 60% to meet the global food demand in 2050.

Get the message across!

FAO’s website is full of initiatives and materials to raise awareness and spread the message of this observance on different platforms. Find out about a multitude of worldwide events related to the importance of healthy soils.

OTHER INFORMATION

Marking the 10th anniversary of World Soil Day, the event will be held in Thailand but offers the opportunity to join online via Zoom. Register now!

Campaign’s initiatives and resources

• FAO World Soil Day
• Soil contests
• Materials and logo
• Compilation of digital resources in 6 languages
• Events around the world
• Promote your activity, talk, or event!
• FAO Soils portal
• FAO Global Soil Partnership

ON SOURCE: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS