Retain soil sustainability to ensure food security

SOIL fertility is declining due to non-stop crop cultivation on the same land and frequent application of pesticides, which can lead to loss of agricultural productivity in the long run. The practice has resulted in the inability of the soil to absorb the nutrients required to maintain good health. The 17 crore people’s food security is dependent on the limited land, while industrialization, urbanization and construction of houses and roads are responsible for shrinking arable lands. So sustainable land management is vital for sustainable development and future food security.
The soil also referred to as the ‘skin of the Earth’ is not just composed of one element, but it is a complex mixture of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms -all of which come together to form a fertile substance that can grow and nourish saplings. Every year, December 5 is celebrated as World Soil Day to raise awareness on the importance of healthy soil and promote sustainable management of soil resources. The theme for this year is ‘Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity’, through which the observance aims to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management. On this day, it must also be acknowledged that healthy soil is responsible for producing more nutritious and safer food -altogether, 95% of our food is soil-based.
The importance of soil for food and nutritional security of the people is immense. The soil must be kept alive, and soil quality must be maintained. The intensity of our crop cultivation has increased but if we can’t keep the soil healthy, we will have to suffer in the long run. As soil offers habitat of a quarter of the world’s biodiversity, protection of biodiversity will improve soil health, which, in turn, will yield safe and nutritious food. But the biodiversity of the soil is currently at risk, which has become a matter of concern, and one of the reasons for this is the lack of sustainable soil management.