The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) recently marked a significant event in the agricultural calendar, ‘World Soil Day’ on December 5, 2021. The celebration aimed to shed light on the importance of maintaining healthy soil and was filled with key educational points about soil conservation.
History and Significance of World Soil Day
World Soil Day was initially recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002 as a day dedicated to raising awareness about this vital natural resource without which agricultural activities would not be possible. This idea was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the day was officially established under the leadership of Thailand as part of their Global Soil Partnership initiative.
December 5th was chosen as the official date for celebrating World Soil Day because it coincides with the birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who endorsed the event. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day.
World Soil Day Awards
In harmony with the event, the FAO presents two awards yearly. The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award is given to individuals, communities, organizations, and countries that have organized remarkable World Soil Day activities or campaigns the previous year.
In contrast, the Glinka World Soil Prize rewards those who have made significant strides towards addressing one of the world’s most urgent environmental problems: soil degradation. This prize commends individuals and organizations whose leadership and activities contribute to the promotion of sustainable soil management and the protection of soil resources.
Initiatives Undertaken by India for Soil Health
In reaction to the importance of soil sustainability, India has initiated several programs designed to enhance soil health. One of these initiatives is the Soil Health Card Scheme, which provides farmers with information about the nutrient status of their soils to help them make informed decisions about their use of fertilizers.
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana aims to promote organic farming, an agricultural practice that relies on natural processes rather than synthetic inputs to cultivate food and fiber crops. This scheme advocates for traditional farming methods that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable in the long run.
Another important initiative is the push for Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency, which encourages farmers to produce their own natural fertilizers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and protect soil health.
Digital Agriculture is another groundbreaking initiative that employs advanced technology to manage farms and enhance production efficiency, thereby improving soil health.
Carbon Farming has also been introduced as a climate-smart agriculture technique aimed at sequestering atmospheric carbon into the soil and crop roots, stems, leaves, and fruits.
Finally, the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme was developed to encourage balanced use of fertilizers and to sustain soil health by subsidizing the cost of certain nutrients.
India’s efforts to improve soil health through these various initiatives underscore the significance of World Soil Day and the necessity of continued focus on soil conservation.
