World Soil Day 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.
- World Soil Day 2022 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign “Soils: Where food begins” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
About World Soil Day
- The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, adopted a resolution proposing that 5 December be marked as World Soil Day to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well-being.
- The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.
Significance of soil
- 95% of our food comes from soils.
- 18 naturally occurring chemical elements are essential to plants. Soils supply 15.
- Agricultural production will have to increase by 60% to meet the global food demand in 2050.
- 33% of soils are degraded.
- Up to 58% more food could be produced through sustainable soil management.
