World Soil Day

  Ahead of World Soil Day , marked on December 5th , the  FAO launched its first ever report on " The State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity ". The report examines the potential of soil organisms in ensuring sustainable agri-food systems and mitigating climate change. "Soil biodiversity and sustainable soil management is a prerequisite for the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals " , said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo. "Therefore, data and information on soil biodiversity, from the national to the global level, are necessary in order to efficiently plan management strategies on a subject that is still poorly known", she added. Biodiversity below According to the report, despite the fact biodiversity loss is at the forefront of global concerns, biodiversity below ground is not being given the prominence it deserves and needs to be fully considered when planning how best to boost sustainable development. "We ho...

  The objective of this protocol is to provide a framework, based on a set of indicators, for government officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in development projects, to determine if implemented soil management practices are sustainable and in line with the definition of Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) included in the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM) (FAO, 2017). This protocol and its indicators, parameters, and methods should be regularly revised and updated according to the evolution of soil sciences and the results obtained during its use in the field, reflecting local, national and regional realities. The measurement of recommended indicators provides an evaluation of a soil’s ability to maintain prioritized ecosystem services, and therefore improve farmers’ productivity and income in a sustainable manner. This document is built on existing work of the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership (GSP): the revised World Soil Charter (WSC) (FAO, 2015...

It emphasize the role of SOIL MANAGEMENT in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Black soils are essential for: - Feeding the world. - Supporting the global economy. - Being highly fertile and productive. - Representing 17% of the world's croplands. Crops and Activities Supported by Black Soils: 1. Wheat. 2. Orchards. 3. Potatoes. 4. Soybeans. 5. Cattle raising. 6. Rice and corn. 7. Grain and oilseed crops. 8. Forage and fiber production. Key Facts (Center Box): - Black soils constitute an important source of food globally. - They are key for the global economy. - They are recognized as highly fertile and productive. - They cover 17% of global croplands. Developed by: - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations ( @fao ). - Global Soil Partnership.