Eco-consciousness is rising among people across the globe. Hence to create awareness of the importance of a healthy ecosystem and emphasize the need to maintain them for the well-being of humans, a day is essential. That’s why World Soil Day is observed.

World soil day is celebrated on December 5 every year to raise awareness of the importance of healthy soil. It also wants to focus on the need to maintain healthy soil for the overall well-being of humans.

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended world soil day in 2002. It was approved by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United States (FAO) in 2013. The first official World Soil Day was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2014.

Here are some important points to know about World Soil Day:

• Soil deterioration is one of the major causes of nutrition loss. Hence world soil day aims to focus on the issue.
• In addition, it also focuses on addressing challenges in soil management. It also aims to increase soil awareness among people to improve soil health, which eventually promotes the well-being of humans.
• Around 95 per cent of food comes from the soil. But, many people are not aware of the fact. Most of them are not even familiar with basic concepts of soil health.
• Plants require 18 chemical elements, of which, 15 are supplied by the soil.
• Astonishingly, a tablespoon of soil contains more living organisms than people living on Earth.
• The global population is rising. So, agricultural production has to be increased to meet the food demand. At least 60 per cent of production should be increased by 2050. Otherwise, people will not have adequate food.
• Sustainable soil management is the most efficient way to increase food production by up to 55 per cent.
• Healthy soil is not just vital for the well-being of humans, but essential for all living organisms on the Earth.

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