WORLD SOIL DAY

WORLD SOIL DAY
(5th December,2012)

The IUSS launched the 5^th December as World Soil Day in 2002. World Soil day celebrates the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to the human commonwealth through its contribution to food, water and energy security and as a mitigator of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is celebrated particularly by the global community of 60,000 soil scientists charged with responsibility of generating and communicating soil knowledge for the common good. It is held on December 5th because it corresponds with the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej ,The King of Thailand, who has officially sanctioned the event. In an increasing number of countries across the world this day is celebrated each year with a wide ranging of activities and festivities. Please send us a report of the celebrations in your country and we shall report this to global soil science community. Have a wonderful World Soil Day 2012!

 The soil plays for human livelihoods, worldwide there is increasing degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate management practices, population pressures driving unsustainable intensification and inadequate governance over this essential resource.Recognising the importance of soils, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, made a resolution proposing the 5^th of December as World Soil Day. This day is aimed to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to the human wellbeing through its contribution to food, water and energy security and role in mitigating biodiversity loss and climate change.Despite these commendable efforts by IUSS and soil scientists around the world, soils have in recent decades been seen as a second-tier priority in international and national decision making processes. Indeed, soil degradation is a silent process that does not call the attention of decision makers. Yet, soils are a critical resource for addressing current and future pressures on limited resources and meeting growing demands of our expanding population. Recognition, advocacy and support for promoting sustainable management of soils is the only alternative to guarantee healthy soils for a food secure world and for the maintenance of the many  vital ecosystem services that soils provide.The tide may be changing and the moment is opportune to raise awareness of soils since Agriculture and Food Security are rising back to the top of the policy agenda in all regions due to several factors: the growing urban to rural population ratio (over 50%), the food price crisis and increasing threats to production from increasing climate variability and extreme climatic events, notably unreliable rains, flooding or extended drought among others.  

Within the framework of the "Global Soil Partnership", FAO advocates for recognition of the importance of soils for achieving food security, as well as their pivotal role for providing a range of ecosystem services. In this regard, FAO, with full support of its country members (as expressed during the 144^th FAO Council, 11-15 June 2012) requests the wider UN System to recognize and 5^th December as World Soil Day and to institutionalize its observance. Associated activities will assist in creating awareness and achieving recognition of the vital importance of this  finite, non-renewable natural resource and in mobilizing actions towards its sustainable management and protection.Supported by the Global Soil Partnership and view of its importance FAO has decided, for the first time, to celebrate World Soil Day and to help place soils at the top of the agenda for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security worldwide.

Prof. John Kurakar