World Soil Day 5 December: History and Significance, Important Notes

World Soil Day 2022

Theme "Soils: Where Food Begins"

History of World Soil Day

World Soil Day is celebrated on 5 December annually.

In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended that an international day should be observed to celebrate soil.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the GSP (Global Soil Partnership) supported the initiative to establish WSD (World Soil Day).

In June 2013, the FAO Conference approved World Soil Day.

The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) designated 5 December 2014 as the first official Word Soil Day as per the request of the FAO for official adoption of the day in June 2013.

Why is World Soil Day observed?

Soil conservation is very important. If humans and animals have to remain healthy, then the soil should also be kept healthy. No soil, no food. It is important for people to know about soil health. Every individual and society have to understand the importance of healthy soil. Soil pollution is increasing day by day which is not good for healthy ecosystems and human life. Soil awareness should be spread in the societies so that soil pollution can be stopped, and soil conservation can be done at such a level that there is no threat to healthy ecosystems and healthy human life.

No Soil No Food

Various types of micro-organisms, minerals and organic components are found in the soil, which are essential for healthy soil. If the soil is healthy then only the growth and development of healthy plants is possible. If humans and animals have to be healthy then they must have access to healthy food. Healthy food is possible from healthy plants. That is, if the soil is healthy then there will be healthy plants and healthy food will be obtained from healthy plants.

World Soil Day on 5 December

 Therefore, it is our duty to ensure that sufficient amount of nutrients and micro-organisms are present in the soil.

How important is it to keep soil health balanced?

Lack of healthy soil is a threat to nutrition. If the soil itself is not healthy, then how can humans and animals who depend on the plants growing in the soil remain healthy. Lack of nutrients in the soil leads to soil degradation which is a threat to nutrition. Soil degradation caused by nutrient depletion is considered one of the most critical problems globally for food security and sustainability around the world.

In some soils, there is such a shortage of nutrients and micro-organisms that the growth and development of plants is not possible. While on the other hand, the excess of nutrients in some soils becomes so much that the soil becomes toxic and starts polluting the environment. That's why it is very important to keep soil health balanced so that environmental pollution and climate change can be avoided.

What is hidden hunger?

If there is a lack of nutrients in the food, then that food is not considered complete. If the stomach is filled by eating that food, but there is a lack of nutrients in the body.

In the last 70 years, it has been observed that there has been a drastic decrease in the level of vitamins and nutrients in foods. 2 billion out of 8 billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. People do not get micronutrients from food, and it is difficult to detect that is why the term 'hidden hunger' is used to describe the lack of micronutrients in foods.

Plant life is not possible without the nutrients provided by the soil

Plants need 18 essential nutrients for their survival and growth.

The 15 nutrients essential for plant survival and growth are obtained from the soil and 3 other essential nutrients are absorbed by plants through photosynthesis.

The 18 essential nutrients are as follows:
1. Carbon - C
2. Hydrogen - H
3. Oxygen - O
4. Nitrogen - N
5. Phosphorus - P
6. Potassium - K
7. Calcium - Ca
8. Magnesium - Mg
9. Sulphur - S
10. Boron - B
11. Copper - Cu
12. Iron - Fe
13. Manganese - Mn
14. Zinc - Zn
15. Molybdenum - Mo
16. Chlorine - Cl
17. Cobalt - Co
18. Nickel - Ni

The 18 essential nutrients are classified as macronutrients and micronutrients.

What are called macronutrients?

Macronutrients are elements that are used in large quantities by the plants.

What are called micronutrients?

Micronutrients are elements that are used by plants in small quantities.

The macronutrients are as follows:

1. Nitrogen - N

2. Phosphorus - P

3. Potassium - K

4. Calcium - Ca

5. Magnesium - Mg

6. Sulphur - S

The macronutrients are further defined as primary and secondary nutrients.

The primary nutrients are as follows:

1. Nitrogen - N

2. Phosphorus - P

3. Potassium - K

The secondary nutrients are as follows:

1. Calcium - Ca

2. Magnesium - Mg

3. Sulphur - S

The micronutrients are as follows:
1. Iron - Fe
2. Boron - B
3. Copper - Cu
4. Chlorine - Cl
5. Manganese - Mn
6. Molybdenum - Mo
7. Zinc - Zn
8. Cobalt - Co
9. Nickel - Ni