World Soil Day 2024: History, significance, theme this year and celebrations

World soil day is annually on December 5.

Marking its 10th anniversary, World Soil Day (WSD) 2024 takes centre stage today, reaffirming the indispensable role of soil in sustaining life on Earth. Under the theme Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage, this year’s campaign emphasises the urgent need for accurate soil data to drive sustainable soil management practices for global food security and environmental resilience.

This year’s event will be hosted in Thailand, with a global audience invited to participate online via Zoom.

Over 95% of the world’s food originates from soil, which supplies 15 of the 18 essential chemical elements plants require to thrive. However, unsustainable practices and climate change are degrading this vital resource. Erosion, for instance, diminishes soil fertility, reduces water retention, and strips nutrients from food, exacerbating food insecurity and environmental challenges.

To combat this, sustainable soil management techniques such as crop rotation, cover cropping, organic matter application, and minimal tillage are increasingly critical. These practices preserve soil biodiversity, enhance fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, making them essential tools in mitigating climate change.

Soil is more than just dirt. It is a living ecosystem that supports biodiversity and food security.On this #WorldSoilDay & every day, let's show our love and gratitude for this precious resource.andpic.twitter.com/husjL9WWlL

Related Stories

• Best plants to grow in water: Tips to choose the right one, how to care for them
• World Soil Day 2022: History, significance and the theme this year
• EU seeks to halve use of pesticides, heal nature with landmark laws

Food and Agriculture Organization (@FAO) December 5, 2024

World Soil Day was officially launched in 2014, thanks to advocacy by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Global Soil Partnership under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It has since evolved into a global platform for raising awareness about soil health and sustainable resource management.

As the world faces increasing demand for food—an estimated 60% rise by 2050—sustainable soil management could unlock up to 58% more food production, experts say. The staggering reality that it takes up to 1,000 years to form just 2–3 cm of soil underscores the urgency of protecting this non-renewable resource.

This year’s WSD campaign urges governments, industries, and individuals to measure and monitor soil health rigorously. Accurate data on soil properties is critical for devising policies and practices that ensure long-term productivity and ecological stability.