World Soil Day 2016: Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life

"On World Soil Day, I call for greater attention to the pressing issues affecting soils, including climate change, antimicrobial resistance, soil-borne diseases, contamination, nutrition and human health," said UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, adopted a resolution proposing Dec 5 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.

Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the "Global Soil Partnership", Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the formal establishment of World Soil Day as a global awareness raising platform.

Incidentally, Dec 5 is the birthday of the recently deceased King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The  FAO Conference, in June 2013, unanimously endorsed World Soil Day and requested official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly.

In December 2013, the 68th UN General Assembly declared 5th of December as the World Soil Day.

According to a UN release, "Soils are under pressure from increases in population, higher demands for food and competing land uses. Approximately 33% of our global soils are degraded and policy makers around the world are exploring opportunities to embrace sustainable development via the sustainable development goals."

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, tweeted, "Swasth Dhara, Khet Hara".

The minister also addressed a gathering at the College of Engineering, Roorkee, Uttarakhand on the occasion of World Soil Day.

Image: UN website