1153. World Soil Day 2024

World Soil Day is held every year on December 5 as an opportunity to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources, with the aim of highlighting the importance of healthy soil. This year's theme is "Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage".

Soil is essential for life on our planet. More than 95% of our food comes from soil, which supplies 15 of the 18 essential chemical elements for plants.

However, under the pressure of climate change and anthropogenic economic activities, our soil is degrading. Soil erosion disrupts the balance of ecosystems, preventing the infiltration of water that should be utilized by life forms, resulting in a decrease in vitamin and nutrient levels in food.

Sustainable soil management practices such as minimal tillage, crop rotation, organic matter supplementation, and cover crops improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and improve water infiltration and storage potential. These practices conserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, contribute to carbon sequestration, and play an important role in combating climate change.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program