New York, Today marks the observance of World Soil Day, an annual event dedicated to highlighting the importance of healthy soil and advocating for sustainable management practices. This year’s theme, “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity,” emphasizes the need to combat soil degradation, particularly salinization, and to enhance soil productivity for future generations.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, World Soil Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the critical role soil plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being. Soil salinization, a process where water-soluble salts accumulate in the soil, is a major threat to agriculture, affecting crop yields and food security globally.

The Ministry’s release underscores the urgency of addressing soil salinization, which is exacerbated by factors such as inappropriate irrigation practices, use of saline water for irrigation, and rising sea levels. These factors contribute to the degradation of soil quality, making it less fertile and reducing its capacity to support agriculture.

To combat this issue, the Ministry advocates for the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. These include improving irrigation methods, using salt-tolerant crop varieties, and implementing soil conservation techniques. Such practices not only prevent soil degradation but also enhance its productivity, ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices and food security for future generations.

The observance of World Soil Day comes at a time when global food security is increasingly under threat due to environmental challenges. The day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and nurture the earth’s soils, which are vital for sustaining life on the planet.